Trump supporters rip into Chip Roy as he calls out former prez and defends support for DeSantis

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Republican Congressman Chip Roy, while expressing his support for Ron DeSantis, took a dig at former President Donald Trump over his refusal to participate in the GOP presidential debates.

Speaking to CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Thursday, December 21, the Texas lawmaker said, "I'm proudly supporting Ron DeSantis. He's a good man, a friend to someone I've known for a decade. And for some reason, that gets under President Trump's skin. And this is exactly what the American people are tired of."

Further into the conversation, Roy called out Trump, claiming the former President is afraid to participate in debates. "I was just at multiple events with Ron DeSantis where he's shaking their hands and looking them in the eye while Donald Trump hangs out in his basement in Florida, afraid to actually debate," he said.

Trump, who is dominating the opinion polls against fellow GOP White House hopefuls, on Tuesday, December 19, attacked Roy through a Truth Social post calling him a "RINO," the abbreviation of Republican in name only, as per a Fox News report.

Chip Roy thinks Donald Trump should take part in debates

Roy, describing himself as an "unapologetic conservative," questioned why Trump refrains from debates with the other candidates. "What's he afraid of? Look, I'm happy to debate him if he wants to anywhere. I'm just a little old congressman. Why won't he debate Ron DeSantis or any of the other candidates? I think he should," the lawmaker said.

However, while emphasizing that he is an "unapologetic defender of Donald Trump" when aligned with his views, Roy clearly opposes the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to bar Trump from the state's primary ballot in March 2024. "I don't think that's following the Constitution. I think that's stretching the bounds of the 14th Amendment unconstitutionally," he stated.

Trump, despite leading the opinion polls, has kept his campaign schedule lighter than his competitors and has also not been a part of any GOP debates so far, including the fourth one in Alabama on December 6, forcing the Republican National Committee (RNC) to terminate their plans to host more debates.

This has led Florida Governor and rival candidate Ron DeSantis to accuse the former President of "cowardice."

Irrespective of his absence, Trump has not refrained from mocking the performance of the other GOP candidates at the debate.

Chip Roy faces online backlash from Trump supporters

Furious Trump supporters took to social media to express their outrage over Roy's comments on the former President's absence from GOP debates. The Congressman was labeled a "clown" and a "loser."

One user remarked, "God i despise this FAKE phony tough guy! Total disgusting RINO!!"

Another user wrote, "Chip you are a loser."

"Glad Chip Roy is finally showing his true colors for all of you to see," read a third reaction.

A fourth user said, "Chip off the old Uniparty block!"

"Chip Roy is a clown . Does he honestly think Trump is afraid to debate," added one user.

Another stated, "Dude, he’s winning without even trying. He doesn’t need to debate."

"Chip is a looser. Makes me feel the same about DeSantis," someone remarked while another wrote, "Roy is such a fake."

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