Trump’s Former Ally Turns Against Him: Warns of ‘Imminent Threat’ to Democracy, Endorses BIden
According to a report by Newsweek on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger has formally endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election, issuing a stark warning about former President Donald Trump and what another term under his leadership would mean for the United States.
This endorsement marks a shift in the political terrain, as Kinzinger has been one of the most vocal critics of Trump within the Republican Party. Kinzinger, who represented Illinois in Congress, has been a prominent figure in the Republican resistance against Trump’s claims of election fraud.
He was one of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. This event saw Trump supporters violently protesting the results of the 2020 election, which they falsely believed was stolen.
On Wednesday, Kinzinger made his support for Biden official through a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. In a video posted to his account, Kinzinger stated, “As a proud conservative, I’ve always put democracy and our Constitution above all else.
And it’s because of my unwavering support for democracy, that today, as a proud conservative, I’m endorsing Joe Biden for re-election.” Kinzinger emphasized that while he does not align with Biden on all issues and “never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for president,” he believes that Biden is the candidate who will “always protect” democracy.
Kinzinger’s statement highlights his deep concern about the potential consequences of a second Trump term, warning that “Donald Trump poses a direct threat to every fundamental American value. He doesn’t care about you.
He only cares about himself. And he’ll hurt anyone or anything in pursuit of power.” President Biden responded to Kinzinger’s endorsement of X, expressing his gratitude and highlighting the bipartisan nature of Kinzinger’s decision.
“This is what putting your country before your party looks like. I’m grateful for your endorsement, Adam,” Biden wrote. The Biden campaign has been actively courting anti-Trump Republicans, particularly those who supported former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the GOP presidential primary.
Winning over these disaffected Republican voters could be crucial in swing states that are likely to determine the outcome of the election. Kinzinger’s endorsement sparked mixed reactions on social media, reflecting the polarized political climate.
The account @PatriotTakes praised Kinzinger, posting, “Adam Kinzinger is a former Republican Representative who investigated January 6th. He knows Trump is awful and a threat to the country.
Today he endorsed Joe Biden.” In contrast, writer Philip Reichert was skeptical of the endorsement’s impact, posting, “Lol a coordinated endorsement from Adam Kinzinger is going to do less than nothing for Biden.” Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene responded with characteristic bluntness, writing, “Oh look, Kinzinger finally came out of the closet.
As usual, we knew all along, so not a surprise, and none of us cared.” The endorsement comes just one day before Biden and Trump are set to face off in the first presidential debate. This debate will address key issues facing Americans, such as the economy, immigration, and reproductive rights.
It will also provide each candidate with an opportunity to address concerns about their age, as polls indicate that the race remains closely divided. According to the latest Morning Consult poll, conducted from June 21 to 23 among 10,159 registered voters, the race is dead even, with both Biden and Trump receiving 44 percent support in the national popular vote. This tight margin underscores the high stakes of the upcoming debate and the 2024 election as a whole.
