In a recent appearance on CNN’s “The Source,” former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who is also a CNN contributor, delivered a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump, likening his values to those of an “axe murderer.” Duncan’s comments came in the context of the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, who testified in a hearing concerning the potential move of his criminal case to federal court.
Meadows and Trump are among a group of individuals who were indicted in Atlanta, along with 17 others, over allegations related to their involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. The legal argument centers on whether Meadows, in his role as chief of staff, was performing duties as a federal official, potentially granting him immunity from the charges if the case is moved to federal court.
Host Kaitlan Collins pressed Duncan on the issue, particularly highlighting a statement from Meadows’ memoir in which he claimed that his duty as chief of staff was to confront the president when he believed he was wrong. Collins questioned whether Meadows failed to do so at critical junctures.
Duncan responded with a critical assessment of both Meadows and Trump. He expressed skepticism about Meadows’ alleged private objections, stating that he had not witnessed any instances of Meadows standing up to Trump. He characterized the unfolding situation as a cascade of falsehoods akin to a “Ponzi scheme of lies.”
Duncan’s criticism extended beyond the current legal matter involving Meadows. He delved into broader issues, including Trump’s legal challenges, the state of the Republican party, and Trump’s moral standing. Duncan pointed out a litany of concerning aspects, including multiple indictments, perceived abandonment of Republican principles, and mounting national debt. He underscored these factors as warning signals, suggesting that they should dissuade the Republican party from considering Trump as a viable nominee in the future.
Duncan’s most striking statement came when he compared Trump’s moral compass to that of an “axe murderer” rather than a president. This colorful metaphor emphasized his strong disapproval of Trump’s conduct and character.
“One thing that someone highlighted today, Geoff, was how in his memoir that he wrote after leaving office, Meadows said his job as chief of staff was, he believed, to, ‘tell the most powerful man in the world when you believed that he was wrong,’” host Kaitlan Collins said. “But I mean, is it clear that Meadows didn’t do that when it probably mattered the most here?”
“Well, he must’ve whispered it in his ear and not said it out loud because I certainly have never seen examples of him standing up to Donald Trump,” Duncan replied. “I think it’s so interesting to continue to watch this play out like some sort of Ponzi scheme of lies that just kind of built. And if you look at their defenses at this point, it’s all technicalities.”
Duncan alluded to Trump’s other legal troubles and questioned the former president’s values.
“As a Republican, the dashboard is going off with lights and bells and whistles telling us all the warning things we need to know,” he said. “Ninety-one indictments, fake Republican, $8 trillion worth of debt. Everything we need to see to not choose him as our nominee, including the fact he’s got the moral compass of more like an ax murderer than a president.”
