Not content with his recent meltdown on the Senate floor, outgoing Tennessee Senator Bob Corker unleashed on President Trump and the GOP again to reporters on Wednesday.
GOP Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) warned on Wednesday that members of his party are becoming “cult-like” in their support of President Trump, pointing to leadership’s unwillingness to challenge the White House on tariffs.
“We are in a strange place. I mean, it’s almost, it’s becoming a cultish thing, isn’t it? And it’s not a good place for any party to end up with a cult-like situation as it relates to a president that happens to be of — purportedly, of the same party,” Corker told reporters.
Pressed on whether he feels Republicans are currently in a “cult-like situation,” Corker acknowledged that there are some GOP lawmakers who stand up to Trump and it would be “unfair to try to say” that “about every member.”
“[But] is leadership in general not wishing to poke the bear? Absolutely, because it’s all about the next election, right?” said Corker, who is retiring after 2018.
Watch Corker’s remarks:
The increasingly unpopular Corker, who likely had no chance of winning the GOP nomination to run for Senate again appears to be spiraling out of control driven by Trump Derangement Syndrome, perhaps.
Freedom caucus member Matt Gaetz (R-FL) shrugged off Corker’s latest foot-stomping tirade against the President and suggested it was driven by Corker’s hurt feelings over not getting an ambassadorship from the President.
Tur asked about Sen. Corker’s conclusion that the Republican Party has become a “cult-like” organization dedicated to President Trump.
“Is the GOP a cult?” Tur asked to start the interview.
“The GOP is not a cult,” Rep. Gaetz replied. “We’re a party built on principles that right now are increasing economic opportunity for millions of Americans.”
“Do you think that lawmakers in your party who don’t agree with the president are able to speak out and disagree with him without getting the wrath of the president, without getting the wrath of the voters?” Tur asked.
“Well, this is politics, nobody pitches underhand,” he answered. “And if people oppose the agenda of any politician, they’re likely to receive some response from that person. that’s what — that’s how things work in a democracy.”
Tur returned to criticism of the party from Sen. Corker, noting his frustration that Republicans would not even stand up to the White House on tariffs.
“I think that Sen. Corker is a little upset that he got passed over for Secretary of State,” Rep. Gaetz suggested.
“You think it is a personal issue for Bob Corker?” Tur asked.
“I do,” he replied.
Watch the Rep. Matt Gaetz’s rebuttal of Senator Corker:
