Before President Donald Trump's upset victory in the 2016 election, he had nearly as many notable Republican detractors as Democratic ones.
While practically the entire Republican party is now on board with Trump (with some notable exceptions), their devotion hasn't erased what they said before Trump ascended to the presidency.
Progressive media outlet act.tv took advantage of that by making a nearly two minute supercut of all the GOP lawmakers and politicos who warned against Trump before supporting him—some even work for him now.
Watch below.
Ted Cruz knew.
Rand Paul knew.
Nikki Haley knew.
Marco Rubio knew.
Kellyanne Conway knew.
Mike Pompeo knew.
Glenn Beck knew.
Rick Perry knew.
Susan Collins knew.
They all knew. pic.twitter.com/73XyJkiNkv
— act.tv (@actdottv) August 21, 2020
The video features some of Trump's most vocal defenders using similar rhetoric deployed by Democrats today about Trump's propensity to lie, his apparent admiration for fascism, and his ignorance of the U.S. constitution.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), for instance, says in the video:
"He's a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot."
Current presidential counsellor Kellyanne Conway says:
"He says he's for the little guy, but he's actually built a lot of his businesses on the backs of the little guy."
Trump's former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley slams the example he sets for children:
"Donald Trump is everything I taught my children not to do in kindergarten."
The video also features Trump's current Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, decrying Trump's dismissal of war crimes, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) addressing Trump's trouble with the truth, and a slew of others who now vociferously champion the President.
Soon enough, #TheyKnew began trending on Twitter.
#theyknew They all said it. They all still think it. They're all to cowardly to say it to his face. https://t.co/tfRdvFEZWA
— Derek Sheen (@DerekSheen) August 21, 2020
Using their own words against them will always be the most effective tactic #TheyKnew #GOPBetrayedAmerica pic.twitter.com/YjIwyxuuaH
— Tara Dublin #BidenHarris2020 (@taradublinrocks) August 21, 2020
They not only knew, they helped. #TheyKnew pic.twitter.com/M8ilGT9Lk9
— Ellen Garrison (@EllenTrailerDog) August 21, 2020
.@tedcruz knew.@KellyannePolls knew.@SenSusanCollins knew. @RandPaul knew.@LindseyGrahamSC knew. @marcorubio knew.@SecretaryPerry knew. @SecPompeo knew. #theyknew Trump was a narcissist conman who's unfit for office.
Justice is coming.
pic.twitter.com/PIoa86fZIo
— Kimberley Radical Leftist Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) August 21, 2020
“Whatever he does he accuses everyone else of doing." Ted Cruz #TheyKnew
— Adam Rifkin 🐼 (@ifindkarma) August 21, 2020
Of course #TheyKnew - But NOTHING will stand in the way of a Republican and his ability to confirm unqualified judges; transfer billions to the top; & dismantle a century of progress. Trump & his distractions are a tool for their destruction.@MeidasTouchpic.twitter.com/YPKkFQ2R58
— Bryan Dawson (@BryanDawsonUSA) August 21, 2020
People praised the video's effectiveness.
this is a pretty wild compilation pic.twitter.com/M3qO7RDN03
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) August 21, 2020
Wow. A must watch. pic.twitter.com/opFrP9cyyX
— Republicans for Joe Biden (@RepsForBiden) August 21, 2020
The President lies but the video doesn't . #vote #VoteEarly #VoteBlueToSaveAmerica https://t.co/UKrcz9etc7
— Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) August 21, 2020