Trump targets 25 ‘RINO’s’ in Congress who admit he lost election
President Trump wants to name and shame the two dozen-plus members of Congress who say he lost the election.
Branding the lawmakers “RINO’s,” or Republicans in name only, Trump asked for a list of the malcontents who told the Washington Post that they accept that President-elect Joe Biden won last month’s contest.
“Wow! I am surprised there are so many,” Trump tweeted. “We have just begun to fight.”
Even though Trump derided the Post as “Fake News,” he apparently takes its reporting at face value: “Please send me a list of the 25 RINOS,” he wrote.
25, wow! I am surprised there are so many. We have just begun to fight. Please send me a list of the 25 RINOS. I read the Fake News Washington Post as little as possible! https://t.co/cEBM0bYuQ9— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2020
The Post asked all 249 GOP representatives and senators whether they accept that Biden won. Shockingly only 25 accepted the results, even though almost all states have certified the results. The number rose to 26 later Saturday.
Among those who accept reality are sometime Trump critics like Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). There are also seven lawmakers who are retiring, making them less susceptible to backlash from Trump or his loyal army of #MAGA supporters.
Two hardline Trump supporters, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), responded by saying they think Trump won.
The majority feigned ignorance about the results of the election or falsely claimed it remains undecided.
Trump has been remarkably successful in getting Republicans to toe the line as he seeks to deny the reality of Biden’s substantial victory.
Biden won states with 306 electoral votes, easily more than the 270 needed. He leads Trump by more than 7 million in the popular vote.
Trump has lost dozens of court cases challenging the results in various states. The results have now been certified by almost all the states ahead of the meeting of the Electoral College on Dec.14.