On Sunday evening, conservative Fox News commentator Geraldo Rivera conceded that there are "reasons to vote against" President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, but that he'd blame "Republican traitors" if Trump loses in November.
He followed the tweet by targeting Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, Republican political analyst Bill Kristol, and Republican lawyer George Conway—the three founders of the most visible anti-Trump Republican coalition, The Lincoln Project.
Rivera asked the men what they stood for beyond a "favorable mention" from the New York Times.
@SteveSchmidtSES @BillKristol @gtconway3d what-if anything other than favorable mention in #NYT-do you stand for? https://t.co/IsWP4xjKib
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 9, 2020
They didn't mince words in their response.
You believe in Trump and Trumpism. We believe in decency, democracy, the rule of law, national unity, competence, science, medicine, expert advice, vital American institutions and the Constitution. Oh and you believe in Ghislane Maxwell. Forgot. https://t.co/NbcWM6cf8w
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) August 9, 2020
.@GeraldoRivera ! Oh my! @gtconway3d @BillKristol @ProjectLincoln I'm going fishing and tossing the ball to Abe for the dunk. My God! I have lived long enough to shoot fish in the barell. (proverbially of course) https://t.co/NbcWM6cf8w
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) August 9, 2020
We disdain to conceal our views and aims. We openly declare our ends can be attained only by the defeat of Donald Trump. Let the ruling Trumpists tremble at the prospect of just retribution. Decent Republicans have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a country to win! https://t.co/SDGCg2x6RC
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 10, 2020
The Lincoln Project is highly active on Twitter, frequently responding to the President's erratic tweets with comical GIFs and memes.
The political action committee's official account quickly began mocking Rivera as well.
Give 'em the old razzle dazzle. https://t.co/jl25EfOaXw pic.twitter.com/jkMxNs2bNS
— The Lincoln Project 🏴☠️ (@ProjectLincoln) August 9, 2020
Oh, I have a question too.
During the "booze cruise" challenge on Celebrity Apprentice, would you still bring on the Hooters girls to run your event, if you could do it all over again? https://t.co/dPHmQ9IwqS
— The Lincoln Project 🏴☠️ (@ProjectLincoln) August 9, 2020
Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway—who is also the husband of presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway—didn't respond to the tweet directly, but he and Rivera have exchanged barbs on Twitter before.
Rivera called Conway a "punk" who was "rooting for the f***ing virus" after Conway tweeted against Trump's response to the pandemic that's killed over 160 thousand Americans. Conway responded that it was "better to be a punk than a hack."
The men behind the Lincoln Project weren't the only ones to answer Rivera's question.
They stand up for the Constitution, free-press, and Americans. You on the other hand want 15 minutes more. https://t.co/941R9GbWes
— proud FORMER republican (@snudgy44) August 10, 2020
They stand for trying to get a sane person in the White House, putting the pieces of our shattered democracy back together and exposing the criminal conman who's fleecing the entire country. https://t.co/090rcZ2XG1
— 1984 Redux 🌊 🌊 🌊 (@CostaRicaLiving) August 10, 2020
1) Rule of Law and founders vision of separation of powers
2) Loyalty to country, not transactional treason to help your election
3) Freedom of trade and migration to foster economic growth
4) Competence...... https://t.co/EiY8av6AtW
— J.W. Verret (@JWVerret) August 9, 2020
Moral, competent governance? Facts? Not losing 160k of our countrymen when it could have been avoided?
— Stephan Witz (@StephanWitz) August 9, 2020
Rule of law, competent government, and a minimum of decency.
— Sir Humphrey (@bdquinn) August 9, 2020
They stand for the rehabilitation of The United States of America with a competent administration at the helm, much like 65-70% of us who also are ready for some peace, normalcy, and a good night's sleep.
— amy (@amyevans1023) August 9, 2020
The focus soon turned to assertions about what Rivera stood for.
If you stand for nothing sir, what will you fall for?
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) August 9, 2020
Which brings to mind...
what does Geraldo believe he stands for?
Certainly not journalistic credibility... or ethics.
Geraldo is America's Side Show Bob. 🙁 https://t.co/Xd3noZVxnL
— Tom Kelleher (@Zupdood) August 9, 2020
You may want to address that question to a mirror first.
— RandomMusings (@RandomMusings15) August 9, 2020
Rivera hasn't responded to any of the men to whom he posed the question.
@Rob Schneider/X
@Rob Schneider/X
@pancho_runs/Instagram
@risheeee/Instagram
@nickwetzel10/Instagram
@bailey_marie1212/Instagram
@atrain29730/Instagram
Soldier for Life/Facebook