Rep. Byron Donalds, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, wasn’t always in agreement with Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his racially charged attacks on former President Barack Obama. CNN’s KFile uncovered a series of social media posts and interviews from around 2011, when Donalds was active in the Tea Party movement, where he expressed disapproval of Trump.
At the time, when Trump decided against running for president in 2012, Donalds appeared relieved, even posting on Facebook:
“Trump won’t run. Thank God!”
In one Facebook post from April 2011 discussing Trump’s claims about Obama’s birth certificate, Donalds criticized Trump as a “huge distraction” who prioritized self-promotion over the country’s interests. He also dismissed Trump’s concerns about Obama’s religion and citizenship, likening them to conspiracy theories about former President George W. Bush and the 9/11 attacks.
“Trump is a huge distraction, and cares more about himself than the country in my opinion, but I could care less about him,” Donalds wrote in a Facebook post in April 2011 when discussing Trump’s claims that Obama’s birth certificate was fake.
“I don’t question his religion or his citizenship,” Donalds said. “Quite a few Democrats and liberals still think Bush caused 9/11.”
“Trump is a self-promoter yelling about 25% tariffs on China,” Donalds said in the same string of Facebook posts.
running mate because of the Congressman’s steadfast support for the 45th President and his historic policy agenda. The fact that these decade-old posts are now resurfacing in the middle of running mate deliberations is weak but typical of CNN.
Despite the vintage nature of these posts, they could become relevant if Trump considers Donalds as a potential running mate in the upcoming general election. However, Donalds’ team downplayed the significance of his past comments, emphasizing his unwavering support for Trump’s presidency and policy agenda.
It’s noted that Donalds’ stance on Trump seemed to shift around 2016, coinciding with his election to Florida’s House of Representatives. He later ascended to Congress in 2020, the same year Trump left office.
CNN’s KFile also highlighted other Republicans, like Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who have been considered as potential VP picks despite previously criticizing Trump before becoming staunch supporters.
