Though most Republican lawmakers have proven eager to defend President Donald Trump's rhetoric and policies, regardless of feasibility or accuracy, one former Republican Senator didn't mince words in his criticism of Trump's State of the Union address on February 5.
Rick Santorum is a devout Republican, as he proved during the 2012 and 2016 Presidential campaigns and during his tenure as a Senator from Pennsylvania. However, during a discussion on CNN, Santorum lampooned Trump's delivery of the address.
Watch below:
Santorum said:
"This was probably the worst delivered speech I've heard Donald Trump give. He ran over his lines...He would deliver the line and go to the next issue and I don't think he even realized he was even moving on to the next issue. Someone didn't do a good job of breaking his speech so he knew what to do."
Though Santorum's criticisms were primarily limited to delivery, rather than policy, Americans were still surprised that such a devout Republican would criticize Trump so firmly.
But people have ideas as to why he was so quick to criticize.
Some think it hints at an intention for greater political ambition: to primary the President in 2020. It would be a risky uphill battle for Santorum, both of whose presidential campaigns didn't proceed past the primary stages.
Santorum has dissented Trump before, primarily regarding his policy in Syria, but his words after the State of the Union were particularly unequivocal.
Guess he's still not gunning for a position with the Trump administration.
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X
AMC