Former Republican Representative Joe Walsh from Illinois criticized former President Donald Trump for his divisive rhetoric, stating that Trump “appeals to the worst of us.” Walsh also urged President Joe Biden to understand the significance of the current situation and effectively connect with voters as the November elections approach.
During his tenure in the House, Walsh openly voiced his criticism towards Trump, referring to him as an “evil demagogue.”
During his appearance on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Walsh expressed his views on Trump and Biden. According to him, Trump appeals to the worst aspects of society, while Biden aims to emphasize this point. Walsh believes that we are currently in a populist era, and Trump is a destructive demagogue who uses this to his advantage. He also mentions that the American people are feeling angry.
During his campaign, Trump made remarks that drew criticism from the former GOP member. In a rally in Ohio, Trump warned of a potential “bloodbath” for the automobile industry if he were not elected in November. Similarly, during a rally in New Hampshire, he used the phrase “poisoning the blood of our country” when referring to immigrants coming into the U.S.
According to Walsh, who briefly competed against Trump in 2020, Biden and the Democrats should take advantage of the seven-month period leading up to Election Day.
“I believe it is essential for Biden and his team to acknowledge the significance of this moment and appeal to our better instincts,” he expressed. “The current state of affairs does not define us as a nation. I understand that there is anger, and the Democrats should acknowledge this anger, but they should not exploit it in the same way that Trump does.”
In 2011, Walsh began his service in the lower chamber, where he remained until 2013. Although he had voted for Trump in 2016, Walsh voiced his criticism of the former president during his 2020 presidential reelection campaign.
