Following Democrat Doug Jones surprise win in the Alabama special Senate election, Donald Trump had an equally surprising reaction, eating gracious crow after he quadrupled down (and then some) on Jones’ opponent, accused child predator Roy Moore. The president took to Twitter to congratulate Jones on a “hard fought victory,” adding that “a win is a win.” Trump’s candor is exceptionally notable as Moore refuses to concede.
Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017
According to CNN’s Jim Acosta, the tone of Trump’s tweets couldn’t be any further from the truth. A source reportedly close to the White House is saying that Jones’ win is “devastating for the President.” The source added, “This is an earthquake. It’s Virginia but on steroids.”
Source close to WH: "It's devastating for the president… this is an earthquake… Virginia but on steroids… the president has egg on his face" because of Bannon.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) December 13, 2017
In the aftermath of Alabama, it sounds as if Trump might be placing the blame squarely on his former strategist Steve Bannon.
“The President has egg on his face,” because of Bannon, the source added. Bannon told Trump if Moore lost, Democrats would feel emboldened to go after the President on sexual harassment issues, this source who is familiar with Bannon’s pleas to Trump explained.
“That’s why Trump had to do this,” the source continued. “The President invested his political capital and it blew up in his face,” the source added. A separate source who advises the White House said “this is bad.” “The RNC and White House political shop must feel uneasy about their futures,” this source added.
Trump followed up with a tweet Wednesday morning attempting to distance himself from Moore by reiterating that he had originally endorsed Moore’s opponent Luther Strange in the primaries.
The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017
Too bad he also endorsed an alleged child molester. This is unlikely to be the last we hear from Trump on the subject.
(Via CNN)