Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) astonished critics with his over-the-top praise of President Donald Trump in the wake of Tuesday's primary elections.
The 79-year-old president extracted his revenge when at least five incumbent GOP state legislators lost against Trump-backed candidates in Indiana after they failed to pass a mid-decade redistricting push on his orders, and Emmer gassed up his political clout during an effusive appearance on Fox Business.
"Look, all of these pollsthat try to suggest that Donald Trump's influence is waning arecompletely false," Emmer told host Stuart Varney. "Trump has never been stronger,especially with the Republicanbase, and you saw it last night in Indiana."
"He's become more than Donald Trump," the GOP whip added. "He is icon of the ages and whenhe speaks, people listen, and I know the left doesn'tlike to hear that, Stuart, butit's fact and you saw it lastnight on display in Indiana."
"Yes, the MAGA held together insupport of the president onthis," agreed Varney. "I think his political fortunesmay be on the upswing."
The high-ranking congressional leader's enthusiasm set off social media mockery.
"Tom Emmer is a mere bug in the presence of our Godhead Emperor and Leader Donald Trump," quipped journalist and attorney Scott Horton.
"I've joked about 'God-King Trump' before, but Emmer seems to believe it," opined podcaster Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer. "Also, a thankfully good twist of history – if six hundred votes had gone the other way, this man would have been Governor of Minnesota."
"Does Trump have something on Emmer?" wondered Bluesky user KerriLeigh. "His boot licking seems to be stuck on ‘max level’. Gross."
"He’s a historical icon alright, however it’s largely due to his norm breaking, violent rhetoric and actions, and historic unpopularity," posted X user White City DJ. "People do listen when he speaks, but only because they’re forced to."
"History is going to look back on these people with loathing and weakness," seethed X user Bekah Freitas.
"You know when Kim Il Sung died he was declared the Eternal President of North Korea and isn't technically considered to have died? Yeah," pointed out writer Nick Pettigrew.
"This is end-stage cult ideation, the kind of thing people whispered to each other in the Berlin bunker and the waning days of Jonestown," noted journalist Lindsay Beyerstein.