Sportscasting veteran Bob Costas pulled no punches as he sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and his supporters during a recent appearance on CNN, branding them a “toxic cult” following a “loathsome” and “disgraceful” leader.
Costas, a vocal Trump critic, did not mince words as he spoke with Michael Smerconish on CNN’s Saturday morning show, “Smerconish.” The discussion revolved around whether President Joe Biden is the Democrats’ best chance to defeat Trump in a potential election rematch. Smerconish introduced the topic with a poll question on his website, prompting viewers to weigh in on whether “only Biden can beat Trump” or “Trump can only beat Biden.”
Bob Costas, a 29-time Emmy winner, joined the conversation with a clear stance against Trump’s candidacy: “Yes, absolutely. He is by far the most disgraceful figure in modern presidential history.” Costas went on to assert that Trump’s conduct had only worsened since 2016, describing him as possessing a “bubbling cauldron of loathsome traits.” He expressed his view that those critical of Trump were often dismissed as suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome,” a term used by Trump’s supporters and media outlets like Fox News to downplay legitimate criticisms.
Costas continued his critique by suggesting that only those in the grips of a “toxic delusion” within a “toxic cult” would believe that Trump had ever been emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, or ethically fit for the presidency. He contrasted this with what he viewed as a lack of a similar cult surrounding Joe Biden, stating, “There is no cult of Joe Biden.”
The strong language used by Costas reflects the intensity of the political divide and the passionate opinions surrounding key political figures, particularly the ongoing debate about the legacy and impact of Donald Trump. As the conversation on CNN unfolded, Costas made his position clear and did not shy away from characterizing Trump and his followers in stark terms.
SMERCONISH: So, is President Biden the Democrats best chance at beating Donald Trump? I want to know what you think. Go to my website at smerconish.com. Answer today’s poll question. It reads like a puzzle. Which is more accurate, only Biden can be Trump or Trump can only beat Biden.
Bob Costas joins me now, 29 time Emmy-winner.
Bob, thank you for being here. Like the others that I’ve quoted from —
COSTAS: Hi, Michael.
SMERCONISH: — you come at this from a position of not wanting to see Trump get elected. You should state that at the outset. True? COSTAS: Yes, absolutely. He is by far the most disgraceful figure in modern presidential history. He’s only become more disgraceful since 2016 and since 2020, he has a bubbling cauldron of loathsome traits. And it’s only those who are actually suffering from Trump derangement syndrome, which is the way they and Fox News and all the rest of MAGA media try to brush aside all the legitimate criticisms of Trump.
You have to be, in the throes of some sort of toxic delusion in a toxic cult, to believe that Donald Trump has ever been in any sense, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually or ethically fit to be president of the United States. But his supporters are locked in on that. There is no cult of Joe Biden.
