U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs Joint Base Andrews for the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, in Maryland, U.S., May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Trump taunted a Fox News reporter and her fiancé, a Republican congressman, by suggesting he could oust him through elections.
"Her husband votes against me all the time," Trump said about Jacqui Heinrich and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) while speaking to a press gaggle on Wednesday. "Can you imagine? I don't know what's with him. You better ask him what's with him. He likes voting against Trump. You know what happens with that? It doesn't work out well."
Trump was likely referring to his role as kingmaker. The Republican candidates that Trump has endorsed have gone on to win recent primary elections, and he usually backs the opponents of GOP lawmakers who refuse to do his bidding.
The reaction on X took issue with Trump's remarks, though. The X account for The Intellectualist, a Substack account, called it "morally repulsive."
Jonathan Tamari, a senior Washington correspondent for Bloomberg, pointed out that "the PA primary was last night. Fitzpatrick is in the clear for a challenge from the right," but "being attacked by Trump for not being totally loyal is actually a very good message for him in the general election."
Jake Sherman, the founder of Punchbowl News, noted that "Fitzpatrick represents a district that voted for Kamala Harris and broadly supports Democrats in nearly every election. Yet Fitzpatrick keeps winning."
Trump has gone after Heinrich before, and others online noted his history with Fitzpatrick.
"Trump attacked Brian Fitzpatrick's beloved late brother last year, attacked his wife several times, and is now attacking him," freelance political reporter Nick Field recalled. "Not a lot of gratitude for Fitzpatrick supporting him through the January 6th aftermath and voting against his impeachment."