Trump's 10 most brazen nicknames for foes and former allies: From Crooked Hillary to Liddle Marco

Trump's 10 most brazen nicknames for foes and former allies: From Crooked Hillary to Liddle Marco
Hillary Clinton and Kim Jong-Un are among the notable targets of Donald Trump's memorable nicknames (Getty Images)

Donald Trump's 10 most brazen nicknames for his foes and former allies

(Getty Images)
Donald Trump has coined outrageous nicknames for Chuck Schumer and Steve Bannon (Getty Images)

Donald Trump possesses a remarkable skill for crafting unforgettable nicknames. No matter what one thinks of his political views, his knack for identifying and highlighting a competitor's flaws with an appealing nickname stands out. This period might truly be seen as a golden period for political nicknames, with Trump being the clear leader. Trump has used these nicknames in debates, rallies, press meetings, and many online articles. Here are some of the most infamous nicknames Trump has come up with for his political opponents and past allies.

1. Lyin’ Ted Cruz

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 23: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) walks back to the Senate floor following a dinn
Donald Trump claimed Ted Cruz's family was involved in JFK's assassination (Getty Images)

Donald Trump once told a campaign crowd about his nickname for Ted Cruz, "You have to spell it right! It’s L-Y-I-N-apostrophe. Lyin’ Ted. The Bible held high, he puts it down and then he lies." This nickname remained popular among Trump's supporters even after he often made claims, without proof, suggesting that Ted Cruz's father played a role in the assassination of JFK.

2. Crooked Hillary Clinton

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting at the Hilton Midtown on September 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/WireImage)
Donald Trump’s nickname for Hillary Clinton became the central theme in his criticism of Hillary Clinton (John Nacion/WireImage)

Donald Trump's nickname for Hillary Clinton often shortened to just "crooked," became a central theme of Donald Trump’s criticism of Hillary Clinton. It highlighted accusations of dishonesty against the Clinton family. Trump has used this nickname in over two dozen tweets, including one where he thanked Steve Bannon for his role in defeating 'Crooked Hillary.'

3. Liddle Marco Rubio

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) leaves the Senate floor during a recess in t
Marco Rubio was branded as 'little' by Donald Trump (Getty Images)

Donald Trump said about his nickname for Marco Rubio at a rally, "You have to brand people." The former President said that he prefers "liddle" over the more common "little." Rubio's boyish appearance and actions, such as sitting in a ridiculously large chair, only made the nickname more impactful. The nickname highlighted Rubio's immaturity and was further amplified by a public argument with Trump about the size of his hands.

4. Pocahontas (Elizabeth Warren)

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25:  Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (
Elizabeth Warren was mocked by Donald Trump over her claims of Native American ancestry (Getty Images)

While not Donald Trump’s most creative work, this nickname reemerged during an Oval Office event honoring Navajo code talkers. "They call her Pocahontas," Trump said, linking the moniker to Elizabeth Warren. The nickname aimed to mock her claims of Native American ancestry.

5. Cryin’ Chuck Schumer

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters before a
Donald Trump’s nickname for Chuck Schumer was derived from an emotional moment (Getty Images)

Donald Trump’s nickname for Chuck Schumer derived from an emotional moment where Schumer teared up while discussing Trump’s controversial immigration order. This was despite a shared New York background that sometimes allowed for mutual rapport. 

6. Sloppy Steve Bannon

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 15: Steve Bannon, advisor to former President Donald Trump, departs the E. Bar
Steve Bannon's nickname by Donald Trump was made with reference to his financial backers (Getty Images)

Shortly after coining Steve Bannon's nickname, Donald Trump doubled down on the mockery making it clear he would continue using it. He wrote, "The Mercer Family recently cut ties with the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon," directly referencing Bannon's longtime financial backers.

7. Little Rocket Man (Kim Jong-un)

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA - SEPTEMBER 19: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE)  North Korean leader
Donald Trump's nickname for Kim Jong-un triggered tensions between the US and North Korea (Getty Images)

Donald Trump's nickname for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un got international attention and escalated tensions between the two countries. Despite initial fears of conflict, the moniker paved the way for the historic Trump-Kim summit in 2018, capturing global attention as the world watched the former reality TV star turn diplomatic showman.

8. Low Energy Jeb Bush

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 22:  Jeb Bush speaks onstage during OZY FEST 2017 Presented By OZY.com at Rumsey
Donald Trump coined Jeb Bush's nickname during the 2016 GOP primary campaign (Getty Images)

Donald Trump’s jab at Jeb Bush during the 2016 GOP primary effectively ended Bush’s campaign. "Low energy Jeb Bush just endorsed a man he truly hates, Lyin’ Ted Cruz. Honestly, I can’t blame Jeb in that I drove him into oblivion!" Trump wrote on X.

9. Al Frankenstein (Al Franken)

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 09:  (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Politician, comedian Al Franken visits the SiriusXM
Donald Trump coined Al Franken's nickname in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against senator (Getty Images)

Donald Trump coined Al Franken's nickname in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Al in 2017. "The Al Frankenstien picture is really bad, speaks a thousand words. Where do his hands go in pictures 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 while she sleeps? ....." Trump wrote on social media, marking his entry into the #MeToo conversation.

10. Dicky Durbin (Dick Durbin)

(Senator Dick Durbin/Facebook)
Donald Trump coined a hilarious nickname for Senator Dick Durbin (Senator Dick Durbin/Facebook)

Donald Trump sought to infantilize Senator Dick Durbin after adding 'y' to his first name. This nickname came after Durbin accused Trump of using derogatory terms to describe certain countries. "Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals can’t get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military," Trump tweeted at the time.

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