A number of Republicans trolled former presidential candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell on social media Monday evening after he decided to end his campaign.
“Today ends our presidential campaign, but it’s the beginning of an opportunity in Congress with a new perspective shaped by the lives that have touched mine and our campaign throughout these last three months,” Swalwell said in Dublin, California, earlier on Monday.
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Walker reacted to the news on Twitter by tweeting, “Congratulations to @LilNasX for holding the top spot for 14 weeks – or about the length of @ericswalwell’s campaign. #TorchNotPassed.“
Congratulations to @LilNasX for holding the top spot for 14 weeks – or about the length of @ericswalwell‘s campaign. #TorchNotPassed https://t.co/UHHklLIRDZ
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) July 8, 2019
Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw tweeted a meme of Grumpy Cat, with the caption “2020 is so much less entertaining now.”
https://t.co/M0XzsPE7fw pic.twitter.com/TMQLWGRoC4
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) July 8, 2019
Matt Whitlock, the National Republican Senatorial Committee Senior Advisor and former Communications director for former Sen. Orrin Hatch tweeted, “Farewell, Eric Swalwell. Thank for the memories.”
Farewell, Eric Swalwell.
Thank for the memories. pic.twitter.com/uy5wUMWNLC
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) July 8, 2019
Donald Trump, Jr. tweeted, “This is SHOCKING!!! I mean with his total lack of charisma & personality it’s a wonder even he thought he could be a contender. Every soundbite basically needed to end with “PLEASE CLAP”’ a reference to a quote from for GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush.
This is SHOCKING!!! I mean with his total lack of charisma & personality it’s a wonder even he thought he could be a contender. Every soundbite basically needed to end with “PLEASE CLAP”
Swalwell Becomes First Democrat to Drop Out of Presidential Race https://t.co/prIn25662U
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 8, 2019
Despite the rebuke from conservatives, other 2020 candidates issued statements of support for the California Democrat.
.@EricSwalwell ran a passionate campaign, and I commend him for bringing more attention to the urgent need for gun safety reform in America.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2019
Front-runner Joe Biden tweeted, “.@EricSwalwell ran a passionate campaign, and I commend him for bringing more attention to the urgent need for gun safety reform in America,” and added “His leadership on the House Intelligence Committee and his influential voice pushing the Trump Administration to secure our elections have helped make clear the stakes for our country in next year’s election.”
California Sen. Kamala Harris called Swalwell “a great fighter for the people of California.”
