Senator Tom Cotton is facing harsh criticism across the internet after he refused four times to condemn Donald Trump’s praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During a radio interview last week, the twice-impeached and defeated one-term president praised Putin as a “genius” and “very smart” amid Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
On Sunday, Cotton appeared for an interview on ABC’s “This Week” where he was pressed four times by anchor George Stephanopoulos to condemn the comments, as well as Trump telling Fox News he had “no message” for Putin.
But Cotton refused to even make a comment about Trump’s remarks, saying: “George, if you want to know what Donald Trump thinks about Vladimir Putin or any other topic, I’d encourage you to invite him on your show. I don’t speak on behalf of other politicians. They can speak for themselves.”
“Why can’t you condemn that? I feel quite confident that if Donald – that if Barack Obama or Joe Biden said something like that, you’d be first in line to criticize them,” Stephanopoulos said.
Cotton again refused to do so again and again, sparking immediate backlash on Twitter.
Check some of the responses below.
This is cowardice. @SenTomCotton is terrified of a disgraced, twice-impeached retiree who spends his time issuing pro-Putin declarations from his Florida rent-out mansion; when he’s not grifting cash from his followers or converting oligarch rubles into cash to hide from the IRS. https://t.co/MlGK6uBlxg
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) February 27, 2022
.@SenTomCotton The far-right republicans position is untenable & out of step with the American people, who overwhelmingly #StandWithUkriane. You own this. You cheerled Putin. You have blood on your hand. Your salvation is to support Ukraine and denounce Trump’s. Get a clue. https://t.co/uvjb9izwif
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) February 27, 2022
That mule eared Tom Cotton just sharted his pants when George ask him a direct question.
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) February 27, 2022
Asked three times, Sen. Tom Cotton refuses to condemn Trump’s praise of Putin. “I don’t speak on behalf of other politicians"
— The Trump Crisis (@RWTrollPatrol) February 27, 2022
The real question – and it has always been the question every GOP lawmaker should be asked – is quite simply,
"Are you afraid of Donald?"
Ask that, and it's the foundation stone for your whole interview.https://t.co/UcBfmuA4gy
— Old Rant Dump (@TrumpinTheShark) February 27, 2022
When faced with a *tough* question, one cowers and crumbles!
When faced with an unprovoked illegal war against his country, the other bravely rises to become a hero!🇺🇦#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/8G7EhjmPTx— Stephanie 🌻 Be a Traveler, not a Tourist (@StephsMundo) February 27, 2022
Mitt Romney certainly had no problem https://t.co/aA37hHaVd2
— Ashlee (@ash_nugget) February 27, 2022
— PNess Parker (@andrewvision09) February 27, 2022
"I don't speak on behalf of other politicians. They can speak for themselves."
So, I guess we will never hear Tom Cotton comment on Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton ever again?
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) February 27, 2022
George, I can’t answer any of your questions directly because I have memorized the PR my staff has given me to respond to the war in Ukraine to take advantage of this moment for more votes. George, I can’t denounce the former guy. I am too much of a coward.
— Progressive Dog Mama (@mochimomsc) February 27, 2022
