Former Republican President Donald Trump took aim at his former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany for allegedly providing incorrect poll numbers during a recent appearance on Fox News.
In a Truth Social post, Trump not only criticized McEnany's accuracy but also misspelled his nickname for her. The incident sparked ridicule and raised questions about the reliability of the information being presented by both Trump and McEnany.
Trump's criticism of McEnany stemmed from her discussion on Fox News' Outnumbered, where she mentioned polling data indicating Florida GOP Governor Ron DeSantis was closing the gap on Trump in Iowa following his formal announcement for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Trump, however, claimed McEnany shared the "wrong" poll numbers, insisting he was actually 34 points ahead of DeSantis, not 25.
In his Truth Social post, Trump referred to McEnany as "Kayleigh 'Milktoast' McEnany," using a misspelled version of the term "milquetoast."
He wrote:
"Kayleigh "Milktoast" McEnany just gave out the wrong poll numbers on FoxNews. I am 34 points up on DeSanctimonious, not 25 up. While 25 is great, it's not 34."
"She knew the number was corrected upwards by the group that did the poll. The RINOS [and] Globalists can have her. FoxNews [sic] should only use REAL Stars!!!"
You can see Trump's post below.
The term "milquetoast" is often used to describe someone timid or meek.
Trump's misspelling added another layer of irony to the situation.
The misspelling not only drew attention to Trump's jab but also sparked amusement and derision from observers.
The exact poll that Trump and McEnany were referencing remains unclear. However, a recent survey conducted by Emerson College Polling showed Trump leading DeSantis by 42 points among Iowa voters.
This stark difference in polling results adds to the confusion surrounding the accuracy of the information being presented by both parties.
Trump's criticism of McEnany and his misspelled nickname have wider implications.
As DeSantis gains momentum in his pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination, Trump's response indicates a potential rivalry between the two influential figures within the party.
Furthermore, Trump's insistence on correct poll numbers and his dissatisfaction with McEnany's performance may raise questions about his future endorsements and alliances.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
