‘This is Getting Insane’: Trickle of Republicans Rebuke Trump For Attacking Election, GOP Leadership Remains Quiet
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President Donald Trump was decried by commentators on both sides of the aisle — and fact-checked in real time by news anchors — for his conspiracy-riddled speech from the White House that falsely claimed victory in the 2020 election and baselessly accused Democrats of trying to steal it, all while demanding votes be excluded in states where he leads while counted in others where he trails.
Moments after Trump pushed a gobsmacking amount of misinformation from the White House podium, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois tweeted, “STOP Spreading debunked misinformation… This is getting insane.”
We want every vote counted, yes every legal vote (of course). But, if you have legit concerns about fraud present EVIDENCE and take it to court. STOP Spreading debunked misinformation… This is getting insane.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) November 6, 2020
“There is no defense for the President’s comments tonight undermining our Democratic process,” said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), a Trump critic who said he voted for Ronald Reagan in the 2020 election.
There is no defense for the President’s comments tonight undermining our Democratic process. America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before. No election or person is more important than our Democracy. https://t.co/BOO2iaTsEf
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) November 6, 2020
“A sitting president undermining our political process & questioning the legality of the voices of countless Americans without evidence is not only dangerous & wrong, it undermines the very foundation this nation was built upon,” wrote retiring Texas Congressman Will Hurd (R).
A sitting president undermining our political process & questioning the legality of the voices of countless Americans without evidence is not only dangerous & wrong, it undermines the very foundation this nation was built upon. Every American should have his or her vote counted.
— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) November 6, 2020
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) released a statement that did not mention Trump by name, but maintained the importance of counting every vote and investigating impropriety.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) November 6, 2020
Nebraska Republican Congressman Don Bacon, who represents the state’s 2nd district, which Joe Biden won, released a statement that defended the process — while not naming the president.
— Rep. Don Bacon (@RepDonBacon) November 6, 2020
Republican Party leaders did not speak out about the president’s comments. Vice President Mike Pence, however, tweeted his support.
I Stand With President @realDonaldTrump. We must count every LEGAL vote.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) November 6, 2020
