The Hill
Kinzinger blasts Trump for calling US third-world country: ‘Eat dirt scumbag’
Lauren Irwin – March 6, 2024
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) took to social media to tell former President Trump to “eat dirt” after Trump called the United States a third-world country in his Super Tuesday victory speech.
“Trump just called America a ‘third world’ country.’ With all due respect (which is none), eat dirt scumbag,” Kinzinger posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “This is the best country on earth. You, are our biggest embarrassment and stain. But you’ll be over in a year.”
In a roughly 20-minute speech from his Mar-a-Lago estate after winning more than 10 primary contests, Trump highlighted a key talking point — border security and immigration — and likened the U.S. to a third-world country.
He argued that the United States is “in some ways … a third-world country,” referencing border security. He later added that “our country is dying,” Forbes reported.
Kinzinger, an outspoken critic of Trump, served on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack before leaving office. He has warned of the danger Trump will pose if reelected and asserted that the former president does not care about the U.S. Constitution.
In a Wednesday appearance on CNN, Kinzinger acknowledged that Trump’s victory Tuesday is an “impressive political victory.” Still, he said he hates “to normalize” Trump’s wins, especially now that he is the only candidate lined up to take the GOP’s nomination.
“After an insurrection, it’s tough for me to just talk about this horse race as normal, but regardless, it was an impressive victory,” he said, pointing to Trump’s landslide wins in states including Texas.
The former congressman said Trump’s speech “was okay,” though he noted there is a “low bar for him” and took issue with the former president calling America a third-world country. He questioned “in what world” Trump provides the “inspirational leadership” needed in the country.
Kinzinger said he is glad that the GOP primary is now largely over, since former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley announced she would be suspending her campaign, and “now we can kind of go forward” and prepare for the general election.
In the past, Kinzinger said there is “no question” that he would support President Biden in the 2024 election over Trump.