Ex-Rep Adam Kinzinger hammers 'weak man' Donald Trump at DNC for 'suffocating soul' of GOP

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Former Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger ripped into former president Donald Trump at the closing night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Speaking to the DNC crowd at the United Center on Thursday, August 22, Kinzinger, an open critic of Trump, condemned the GOP presidential nominee, asserting he "suffocated the soul of the Republican Party," according to The Hill.

"Donald Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong," the former lawmaker said. "He is a small man pretending to be big. He's a faithless man pretending to be righteous. He's a perpetrator who can't stop playing the victim."

Kinzinger, who once supported Trump, changed his stance following the January 6, 2022, Capitol attack when pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building to prevent certification of Joe Biden's 2020 victory.

Adam Kinzinger attacks Republican Party as he endorses Kamala Harris

The former Illinois lawmaker announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic opponent of Donald Trump saying she shared his "allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution and democracy," according to HuffPost.

Addressing the Democrats, he said he was putting the country first as a Republican. He also hailed the Democratic Party, labeling them "patriotic."

"I was relieved to discover that because I've learned something about my party too, something I couldn't ignore: The Republican Party is no longer conservative," Kinzinger asserted. "It has switched its allegiance from the principles that gave it purpose to a man whose only purpose is himself."

A congressman for 12 years, he voted to impeach Trump over his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot along with ten other Republicans. He was part of the select committee formed by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi to investigate the insurrection.

Kinzinger retired from his congressional role in 2022 without seeking re-election after his open opposition to Trump led the GOP colleagues to blacklist him from the party.

His appearance at the DNC indicated a collective effort from the Harris campaign to woo moderate Republican voters who oppose Trump. Besides Kinzinger, other GOP speakers at the DNC included Georgia Lt Gov Geoff Duncan, former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, and former Mike Pence homeland security adviser Olivia Troye.

Internet slams Adam Kinzinger for attacking Donald Trump in his DNC speech

Adam Kinzinger calling Donald Trump a "weak" and "small" man in his DNC speech sparked fury on social media. In response, netizens labeled the former GOP lawmaker a "RINO," an acronym for Republican in name only.

"Lies Lies & MORE Lies….Toxic STUPID rhetoric!!!!!!!! Adam Kinzinger is NOT a respected resource!!" a user said.

Meanwhile, another user labeled it "Pure projection."

"Not that you'll answer because you're too afraid of debate. Why is a Republican at the DNC speaking out against the Republican nominee duly elected by his peers? Could it be that Adam Kinzinger isn't really a Republican.?" added a user.

"Kinzinger wouldn't be able to endure or achieve half of what Trump has," read another response.

"Adam has obtain the highest post in life he will ever receive. He is a Dem thru and Thru. The RNC needs to ban him and any other Rino there," someone else said.

"He is a traitor and never was a real Republican," an individual wrote.

"Adam's pain and hate is cringe to watch," another user chimed in.

"He is RINO. Cry baby!" read one response.

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