President Donald Trump remains steadfast in his refusal to acknowledge defeat in the 2020 election despite President-elect Joe Biden expected to earn 306 electoral votes—well above the 270 minimum to take the White House.
But even through Trump's most bizarre or bumbling attempts to undo the votes of millions of Americans, most of the Republican party has stood by him. On Tuesday, news broke that congressional leadership on the Joint Committee for Inaugural Activities failed to pass a simple resolution acknowledging Biden's victory, thanks to "no" votes from its Republican members.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Republican Party was calling for Trump's supporters to die for the fight to overturn the election results.
That same day, at a White House event, Trump called on Republican legislatures and conservative Supreme Court Justices to have the "courage" to subvert the will of the people.
Trump said:
"Let's see whether or not somebody has the courage — whether it's legislatures or a justice of the Supreme Court or a number of justices of the Supreme Court — let's see if they have the courage to do what everybody in this country knows is right. If somebody has the courage, I know who the next administration will be."
Hours later, in the Tuesday night broadcast of his show, CNN's Chris Cuomo delivered a nine minute takedown of Trump's denial and the Republican party's complacency.
He alluded to the classic 1987 film The Princess Bride and a line delivered by the dashing swordsman Inigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin.
Cuomo said:
"To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, a character from one of the greatest movies ever, The Princess Bride: 'Courage. You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Watch the full segment below.
In his #OpeningStatement, @ChrisCuomo channels his inner Inigo Montoya and wonders what it might take for "ReTrumplicans" to accept Joe Biden as President.
"Will the SCOTUS nine nuthin' negation of the nugatory nonsense from Trump about the election be enough?" pic.twitter.com/TNYg9T67RD
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) December 9, 2020
Twitter users got a kick out of Cuomo's allusion to the widely adored movie.
“Courage, I do not think it means what you think it means"😂🤣 @ChrisCuomo heckling 45 and paraphrasing Indigo Montoya in Princess Bride. Correction. In movie it was “inconceivable! Thanks for the laugh Chris! And thanks for calling out 45 and his “retrumplicants!"
— SwaimMD (@SwaimFlowers) December 9, 2020
Be still, my nerdy, GenX heart, @ChrisCuomo @CuomoPrimeTime just quoted The Princess Bride 🙇♀️
— the Honorable Bridget (@bridgey_bs) December 9, 2020
I love nights like this, when @ChrisCuomo can start #CuomoPrimeTime with good news. Trump being laughed out of the Supreme Court is the Christmas present we ALL needed!! P.S. kudos for the perfectly timed princess bride nod 💜 pic.twitter.com/MI4CrLiFcU
— Katie O (@meanddathome) December 9, 2020
OHHHH! super quote from the best movie ever made Princess Bride. @ChrisCuomo. Excellent.
— Empathy is a Gift 🇺🇸 (@AtifQ) December 9, 2020
Others shared Cuomo's sentiments toward Trump and his Republican enablers.
I do not understand how people on the Republican side can be so spineless, gutless, sore losers and feel good about themselves https://t.co/6CtRu1MaNW
— Crystal Maracle 🇨🇦 after Trump is gone 🇺🇸 (@CrystalMaracle) December 9, 2020
I have seen many comments in the weeks since the election. These 9 minutes are the best summary of 4 years of terror by Trump for the American people. #TrumpIsACompleteFailure https://t.co/Y1wzUwtySo
— Observer (@Observe41722348) December 9, 2020
When will enough be enough for these delusional republicans? Probably only when a few of them end up in jail. #LindseyGrahamIsADisgrace #MitchIDontCareAboutDemocracyMcConnell https://t.co/cr8UWAc2Wx
— Jay Moskowitz (@jaypaul51) December 9, 2020
The GOP has chosen its path: a failed power grab at the expense of our democracy https://t.co/9jcqzmPR45
— Yvonne Zavithsanos (@YvonneZV) December 9, 2020
they've shown zero spine.#truth https://t.co/kTnM3qCqFG
— Alberto Zamora (@AlbertoJourno) December 9, 2020
Regardless of Trump's protests, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be inaugurated on January 20th.
