President Donald Trump's tumultuous four years in office is defined by his critics as a time of blatant lies, cruel atrocities, naked corruption, and total rejection of accountability.
Another point of dissatisfaction lies with Republicans in Congress, whose fealty and deference to Trump and his scandals is largely seen as enablement of his worst tendencies.
But while Republican lawmakers have demonstrated a devotion to Trump in public—for fear of the President's popularity among GOP voters—they've said quite the opposite in private.
Journalist Carl Bernstein, of Watergate fame, recently expressed outrage in response to the silence from GOP heavy-hitters regarding Trump's lies that the 2020 election saw widespread fraud which tipped the race to President-elect Joe Biden.
As a result, Bernstein began naming names of the Republicans who privately question Trump's fitness for the office of the President despite publicly endorsing his action.
I'm not violating any pledge of journalistic confidentially in reporting this: 21 Republican Sens–in convos w/ colleagues, staff members, lobbyists, W. House aides–have repeatedly expressed extreme contempt for Trump & his fitness to be POTUS. (1/3)
— Carl Bernstein (@carlbernstein) November 23, 2020
The 21 GOP Senators who have privately expressed their disdain for Trump are: Portman, Alexander, Sasse, Blunt, Collins, Murkowski, Cornyn, Thune, Romney, Braun, Young, Tim Scott, Rick Scott, Rubio, Grassley, Burr, Toomey, McSally, Moran, Roberts, Shelby. (2/3)
— Carl Bernstein (@carlbernstein) November 23, 2020
With few exceptions, their craven public silence has helped enable Trump's most grievous conduct—including undermining and discrediting the US the electoral system.
More from my appearance earlier on @cnn: https://t.co/c1jZXMR0Pv (3/3)
— Carl Bernstein (@carlbernstein) November 23, 2020
Bernstein emphasized that his disclosure didn't breach journalistic ethics because these 21 Republican Senators have expressed their frustrations to a range of political insiders like staff members and lobbyists.
Among the names—like Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Martha McSally (R-AZ)—are some of Trump's most vocal supporters.
Others—like Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)—are Republican moderates who've issued statements rebuking Trump in the past and occasionally voting out of line with his doctrine, but still face criticism for being too weak in their opposition.
Republicans' private condemnations meant little to the public as far as redemption went.
I've lost more respect for these 21 Republican Senators. That means they know what Trump is doing is wrong and destructive but they keep silent because they are cowards. Shame on all of them. https://t.co/IA2JxRDadP
— Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@WajahatAli) November 23, 2020
When it comes to denouncing an authoritarian in the White House, on the record or it doesn't count.
History is watching. https://t.co/rJBs3tocHm
— Elisa Cardnell (@ElisaCardnell) November 23, 2020
That they knew better and had private concerns while standing in unified public support for YEARS to the tune of hundreds of thousands of deaths makes them MANY TIMES worse than Trump. https://t.co/dY9syHhcPB
— Absurdistwords (@absurdistwords) November 23, 2020
When it comes to denouncing an authoritarian in the White House, on the record or it doesn't count.
History is watching. https://t.co/rJBs3tocHm
— Elisa Cardnell (@ElisaCardnell) November 23, 2020
Is the news Trump is self-evidently terrible or Republican Senators are cowards. Because I'm not sure either are news. https://t.co/8xEHJpfZTo
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) November 23, 2020
The time to speak up has long-since passed. https://t.co/0nPptEmaD6
— Mark T🦃rkins (@mwp764) November 23, 2020
People were amazed, however, commended Bernstein's willingness to name names.
Carl Bernstein is calling the roll here, and he should. If these people don't wake up and start doing their jobs, they will continue to lose the respect of the voters and it could cost them an election-just like it did for McSally.
These people are who we pressure hardest now. pic.twitter.com/IQio3OQOYw
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) November 23, 2020
Carl Bernstein waited a decade after Mark Felt died to confirm his identity as Deep Throat. Yesterday, he reveals the names of 21 GOP Senators who PRIVATELY express the desire for Trump to concede. He put Democracy above Journalistic integrity & is obviously tired of complicity
— Covfefe Shecky Jones/KingOfShade👑 aka BROLENE🔞🌊 (@King_Of_Shade) November 23, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Bernstein. They needed to be outed.
— Susan (@lazygfilmmaker) November 23, 2020
Trump has yet to acknowledge the development on Twitter.
Ash Stanton/Facebook
Laura Sprinkle/Facebook
Akira Karasu/Facebook
Cevanna Gilbert/Facebook
Troy Adam/Facebook
@GovPressOffice/X
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social