Former GOP Rep. Will Hurd criticized fellow Republican presidential candidates who are hesitant to talk about Donald Trump, stating that they are not fit to be President of the United States. Hurd made these remarks on “Meet the Press” following his controversial comments about Trump at the Iowa GOP’s Lincoln Dinner. He claimed that Trump is running for president again to avoid going to prison. While Hurd expected a negative reaction from the crowd, he noted that there were some people who clapped and others who politely listened and understood the truth behind his words.
Trump, who is facing new charges in a special counsel’s investigation, mocked Hurd on his Truth Social platform for being booed off the stage. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, another GOP candidate, also mentioned the crowd’s reaction and suggested that Hurd made it easy for him to follow his speech at the event.
During his appearance on “Meet the Press,” Hurd revealed that his goal was to address those who feel frustrated when they discover that someone they respect has been lying to them. He aimed to speak to individuals who believe in personal responsibility, character, service, and the United States’ role in the world. Hurd criticized candidates who are afraid to talk about Trump’s baggage, stating that they are not ready to be President.
Most of the GOP candidates avoided directly criticizing the former president at the Iowa event. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu questioned the candidates’ lack of aggression in criticizing Trump last month.
Hurd, who has not ruled out a third-party White House run, referred to a headline from the Des Moines Register to emphasize that leadership does not involve tiptoeing around Trump. He wrote that anyone who refrains from calling him out is only enabling him.