Internet mocks former Rep Joe Walsh for saying he 'took a blowtorch' to his career by criticizing Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Congressman Joe Walsh has said he "took a blowtorch to my career" after criticizing ex-president Donald Trump, reported Mediaite.

Walsh made the remarks on CNN NewsNight on Friday, March 15, while discussing former Vice President Mike Pence's refusal to endorse Trump's 2024 presidential bid.

Host Abby Phillip asked the former Illinois lawmaker whether he considered Pence's public denial to back the GOP presumptive nominee as an important moment for the nation.

"This is a really big deal," Walsh said, adding, "I can't emphasize this enough. As a Republican, if you publicly oppose Trump, you're done as a Republican. When I came out six years ago and publicly stood against Donald Trump, I took a blowtorch to my career, but I also knew I could never, ever run as a Republican again. Mike Pence today just did that."

Walsh served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013 before Trump entered the White House and was one of his staunch supporters. However, he shifted his stance over the years, criticizing the White House hopeful.

In an interview with Fox News on March 15, Pence explicitly stated, "It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year." He added that he "cannot in good conscience" support the former president.

Joe Walsh says Mike Pence may not run as a Republican

Further into the conversation, Walsh noted that Pence might continue to have political ambitions, but he was aware that "he can never run again as a Republican."

When the host pressed him whether Pence was "closing the door on running as a Republican again," the ex-congressman right away admitted he was thinking the same.

"And Abby, if he's not, he's smoking something because he'll never– look, he and I are the same age. In our lifetime, this Republican Party is not gonna change. This will never be Mike Pence's Republican or Joe Walsh's Republican Party again," Walsh continued.

After suspending his presidential bid in October 2023, Pence refused to endorse Trump.

Despite a calm relationship while in office, they became estranged on January 6, 2021, when pro-Trump protestors attacked Capitol Hill to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. Furthermore, the rioters chanted "Hang Mike Pence" after Trump falsely claimed the ex-VP had the power to overturn the result.

In his 2022 memoir, 'So Help Me God,' Pence revealed their relationship "broke down" after he completed the election certification process.

Internet ridicules Joe Walsh

Walsh faced online mockery for claiming his career tanked after turning against Trump.

One user questioned, "What career?"

Another user shared a meme that said, "I DON'T KNOW YOU."

"He's on national television," a third user ridiculed the former lawmaker.

A fourth response read, "His political career was already over."

Someone on Facebook commented, "How dare he not toe the line..."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.