Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin held fire in his response to former President Donald Trump’s outburst against him on Truth Social.
Underscoring his busy schedule, Youngkin mirrored the playbook of many Republicans often caught in Trump’s ire, saying he didn’t see the former president’s fiery post and emphasizing his focus on bringing people together.
‘SOUNDS CHINESE’: TRUMP SEETHES AT GLENN ‘YOUNG KIN’ AS MIDTERM MELTDOWN CONTINUES
“I didn’t see it. I have to be honest, I’ve been busy all morning. Listen, you all know me, do not call people names. I really work hard to bring people together,” Youngkin explained on Friday.
When pressed by a reporter that Trump called him names, Youngkin replied, “That’s not the way I roll,” and emphasized the need for unity.
Asked about former President Trump saying Gov. Youngkin’s name “sounds Chinese” and that he couldn’t have won without him, @GovernorVA says he didn’t see the comments. He said he does not call people names and he is focused on bringing people together @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/PlZ9aFXTWv
— Jackie DeFusco (@Jackie8News) November 11, 2022
Trump has teased a “very big announcement” from Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 15, widely speculated to be his presidential debut. But the excitement surrounding that potential launch has seemingly been cut short by Republicans’ underwhelming performance in the midterm elections that had been expected to be a GOP surge.
A number of conservatives, including Youngkin’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, have prodded Republicans to reconsider nominating Trump in 2024, fearing he would pose a liability to the party while pinning the blame on him for the lackluster midterm showing.
In response, Trump has fumed on Truth Social, firing off blistering attacks against GOP heavyweights, including Youngkin, who has been seen as a 2024 contender.
“Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me,” Trump posted on Truth Social Friday morning. “I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him — or he couldn’t have come close to winning.”
“He knows that, and admits it,” he continued. “Besides, having a hard time with the Dems in Virginia — But he’ll get it done!”
Youngkin clinched a breakthrough victory in Virginia during the 2021 off-year election, which had been seen as a preview of a red wave that failed to manifest.
He was not alone in weathering Trump’s rage. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, widely seen as a top GOP rival to Trump in a 2024 primary, was hit with a fiery post on Thursday evening.
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A conservative revolt against Trump resulted in some vocalizing support for DeSantis over Trump, and betting markets moved sharply in DeSantis’s direction as well.
Like Trump, Youngkin had crisscrossed the country during the final sprint of the midterm elections, stumping for Republicans locked in tight races. Youngkin has kept the door open to pursuing a 2024 presidential run.
