U.S. Representative Bob Good (R-VA-05) raised complaints about former President Donald Trump, highlighting an alleged lack of conservative bona fides, before criticizing the criminal indictments against the former president as “baggage” in an undercover video posted to social media on Wednesday.
The video, which appears to be clandestinely shot, repeatedly features a clip of Good stating “you’re asking me privately, I don’t say this publicly,” before transitioning to clips of Good criticizing Trump.
“He might be the only person that can lose to Joe Biden if he’s the nominee, and I don’t criticize him,” Good said in one of the clips edited into the video.
In apparent reference to his May endorsement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the video, Good declared the governor “more of a true conservative,” and claimed Trump “blamed pro-lifers for the election loss” in November 2022 and did not do enough to protect the Second Amendment while in office.
“I decided to endorse DeSantis in May because I thought,” the video showed Good explaining, “I can’t stand by and watch, and then regret, that we nominated Trump,” adding that the party “may well do it” anyway.
Good then expressed concern “the prosecutions and the courts,” in one clip, before declaring he is fearful that Trump “carries that baggage,” noting “some parts of our party” already will not “vote for Trump.”
In an edited series of clips, Good claimed Trump’s “convictions” and “charges” could mount prior to the election, making him “fearful of our ability to win.” He also seemed to cite Trump’s first term in office, declaring, “I want eight years.”
The Virginia Star attempted to contact Good’s campaign for comment about his remarks but did not receive a response prior to press time.
Good’s representative likewise did not respond to an inquiry from The Star which sought to ascertain when he made the recorded remarks. In May, Good challenged German-owned Politico in to “find” his “criticism of Donald Trump.”
Virginia Delegate John McGuire (R-Henrico), who announced a primary campaign against Good last month, told The Star the video is “proof” that “Bob Good lies to you.” After calling Good a “Never-Trumper” and a “RINO,” he labeled the congressman “a slippery politician” who “wouldn’t dare attack Trump like this in public.” McGuire added that the video is evidence Good will “knife Trump behind the scenes right when Trump deserves the most support.”
McGuire told The Star that Good is “completely wrong” about his estimation of Trump’s political odds, and declared “Trump’s America First agenda is the only chance we have at saving this country, which is why I’ve been Team Trump since he came down the escalator.”
In his announcement, McGuire also highlighted Good’s vote to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, claiming he voted with Democrats to let the House “fall into chaos,” which he argued cost Virginia Republicans control over the Virginia House of Delegates in 2023.
McCarthy announced his intention to leave Congress on Wednesday, but hinting at his possible future, he said he is “leaving the House but not the fight.” Politico previously questioned McCarthy about whether he might help McGuire, and the representative acknowledged, having “heard something about him” before noting he was “a free agent” after being ousted.
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bob Good” by Cardinal State.Â
