Donald Trump unleashed a sharp rebuke against Representative Debbie Dingell following her criticism of his Christmas Day social media outburst. The former president labeled the Michigan Democrat a “loser” and appeared to insensitively reference her late husband, John Dingell, who passed away in February 2019.
In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump accused Dingell and President Joe Biden of efforts to “destroy” the nation. He also implied that Dingell was not adequately appreciative of the honors he, as President, had accorded to her late husband. Trump recalled that he had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in John Dingell’s honor and claimed that Debbie Dingell had thanked him profusely at the time, only to later resume criticizing him.
This latest attack came in response to Dingell’s condemnation of Trump’s incendiary remarks on Christmas. In an interview with CNN, Dingell criticized the former president’s divisive language, calling it “one of the most pathetic Christmas greetings” she had ever heard.
Trump’s approach to political opposition often includes targeting family members of his critics. This is not the first instance of him invoking the death of Debbie Dingell’s husband in a derogatory manner. Following her support for his impeachment in 2019, Trump insinuated at a rally that her late husband might be in hell, a comment that deeply hurt Dingell.
Responding to Trump’s initial mockery in 2019, Debbie Dingell expressed her pain and disappointment, stating that Trump’s words significantly hindered her healing process. This ongoing conflict highlights the continued personal and political tensions between Trump and his critics.