What Do Republicans Say to Each Other in Private? – The Daily Beast
Fake-News "Exclusive"**: Over the weekend, I obtained a tape of a conversation between two Republican senators, one an obscure back-bencher and the other a prominent defender of the president and a regular TV presence. I transcribed it yesterday.
I dont know, ol buddy. Im really starting to waver.
Waver? Why?
Wellthat Times story last Friday. I saw what you said publicly. But you and I both know there wasnt a single false word in that whole story. We sat next to each other in that briefing.
So? What of it?
And now this DJ IG report isnt gonna say what we wanted. Strzok was telling the truth.
Ive known that all along. But one more time: What of it?
Well were lying! And were helping Russia!
Look at me while I say this to you, and I will speak slowly: The president is a reformer. He was only interested in Ukraine reforming its judicial system, and once that was accomplished to his satisfaction, he released
Oh, come on, you can say that on Fox, but weve known each other 30 years. Dont blow that smoke up my ass, pal.
the aid to the government, now run by a true reformer who happens to be an ally of the President of the United States, the greatest reformer of them all.
Oh come off it. Were helping Russia. Were helping goddamn Putin! Im starting to get spooked by it. The other night I had one of those dreams where youre back in college and its finals week and you havent gone to class all semester and you show up for the final totally unprepared and wearing your underpants, you know the one?
Have it all the time.
Well, in this one, Putin was the professor! And he was laughing at me hysterically, maniacally! I have your balls in a sack, he kept saying. Except he was speaking Russian, so I dont know how I knew thats what he was saying, but somehow I did, cuz, you know, dreams.
Theyre weird that way. But look. Shake it off. We need you to be strong.
Im trying. But the guy is indefensible. You know that. We all know that. Hes a fucking criminal. Hes guilty. Hes guilty of it all.
I know that.
What? You know that? You say the opposite every day on TV.
Thats correct. And if television bothered to ask you, you would say exactly the same thing. You know why?
Why?
Here are some things Donald Trump is not guilty of. Hes not guilty of raising taxes. Hes not guilty of socialism. Hes not guilty of wanting to give health care to people who havent earned it.
Cuz here are some things Donald Trump is not guilty of. Hes not guilty of raising taxes. Hes not guilty of socialism. Hes not guilty of wanting to give health care to people who havent earned it. Hes not guilty of putting liberal judges on the federal bench wholl rule that everybody and their brother can vote and that David Koch cant buy Congress. Hes not guilty of trying to kill coal and oil. Need me to go on?
I get you, I get you. But I dont know. There has to be a limit, doesnt there?
Let me explain something to you. Ask yourself this. If he loses, who wins?
Well, if its Biden, Joes not so bad. At least we know hes an honest guy. Even Elizabeth Im against everything she wants. Ideologically she scares the hell out of me. But shes a nice enough person, a non-horrible human being. And well block everything she wants to do anyway, I mean well just steamroll the shit out of her, and shell get nothing done and the left will be demoralized and well take back the House in 22 and the White House in 24, so whats so bad about that?
Im not even talking about the presidency. Thats important, sure. But youve gotta think bigger. Nancy Pelosi wins. Abortionists win. The gays win. The New York Times wins. CNN wins. MSNBC wins. Rachel Maddow wins.
I know, but
And who loses? You know who loses. You lose. I lose. Good patriotic Americans lose. The military loses.
The military! Mr. Fucking Bone Spurs!
Irrelevant. Jesus Christ loses.
Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ!
Yes. Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christs fortunes depend on a guy who fucks porn stars and lies about it?
Exactly! Now youre starting to get it! Lookit. Were at war. And in war, the ends justify the means. And the best mean of all is propaganda. Indoctrination. Works every time. I mean, how we got those dumbass evangelicals to buy into this guyso much easier than I thought it would be!
Im just telling you. My conscience is getting to me. I might vote to convict, if Mitch releases me.
Uh-huh. Let me ask you a question. You just started your fourth term. Thinkin about retiring, I hear.
Thinking about it.
Talking to some K Street folks, as I understand it.
You have some big ears there.
There aint no secrets in this town.
Apparently not.
Yes, thats a nice life. Nice life. What, six, seven hundred thousand to start, before distributions?
Bout that.
Id hate to see something disrupt that. I mean, Id hate to see you exposed as being a puppet of... George Soros.
George Soros? I wouldnt know him if he walked in this room!
And thats exactly how sneaky people like Soros want it.
But you wouldnt
No. I wouldnt. Im your friend. But not everybodys as nice as I am
**Obviously, this is not a real dialogue. Two senators wouldnt talk this way. But the reason they wouldnt talk this way is not that the above doesnt contain truth. No, the reason they wouldnt talk this way is that they dont need to. Its all understood.
Theres a quote from an old Boston ward-heeler named Martin Lomasney that is the greatest political quote ever: Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink. I doubt Republicans speak to one another very much about Trump. They nod and they wink. And theyre nodding and winking democracy into oblivion.
Follow this link:
What Do Republicans Say to Each Other in Private? - The Daily Beast
- Republicans see no foul in backing US World Cup team led by birthright citizen while opposing the constitutional right - Courthouse News - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans make their choices for November - Times of Wayne County - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Why it Matters: Governor vetoes mail-in ballot ID bill, but Republicans say the push isnt over - WTVG - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump is hurting their chances. He cant understand why. - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - AP News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Democratic ballots outpace Republicans as Colorados primary vote starts to trickle in - Colorado Springs Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Three Republicans seek U.S. Senate nomination to face Warner; all cite ties to Trump - Cardinal News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Why Republicans think they can save their House majority at the US-Mexico border - CNN - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with Trump blindsiding them - NBC News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trumps break with Senate Republicans once again disrupts their agenda - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- John Paul Hammerschmidt was a forefather of Arkansas Republicans and advocate of Northwest development - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are betting their mid-decade redistricting gamble will pay off - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans in no hurry to deliver Trumps next reconciliation bill - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump Is Fed Up With Senate Republicans. The Feeling Is Mutual. - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans actually do have a healthcare plan, and its a good one - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are desperate to move on from the Iran war - The Economist - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans Shelve Redistricting as Anger Grows - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- The more Senate Republicans learn about Trumps Iran deal, the more they dont like it - MS NOW - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans in Washington on edge over Iran deal as Trump touts its merits - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Fox News Poll: Most rate the economy negatively, including half of Republicans - Fox News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Americans are divided on culture war issues, a new CNN poll finds. Republicans are trying to leverage that in the midterms - CNN - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Guthrie, House Republicans Take Action to Prevent Fraud and Hold Bad Actors Accountable - Congressman Brett Guthrie (.gov) - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Why Trumps Iran agreement could be a tough sell for Republicans: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Young Republicans are becoming more conservative - Good Authority - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans thought the Senate map was their friend. It isnt anymore. - The Washington Post - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Again Block War Powers Measure in the Senate - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans hopeful Iran deal could stop the pain at the pump but it may be too late - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Corruption scandals from Denver to Washington dragged down Republicans as the 1876 election began - The Durango Herald - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Block Pentagon Investment Ban Aimed at Trump Family - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps Surprise DNI Announcement Leaves Senate Republicans Reeling - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps OBBBA will cap federal loans on July 1. Republicans are working to save loans for nurses - Fortune - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- RFK Jr. keeps showing up in districts Republicans need to win - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - TelegraphHerald.com - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Would Rather Get Rid of This Agency Than Upset Trump. Thats a Terrible Idea. - Slate Magazine - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Trump handcuffs congressional Republicans to the SAVE Act | Opinion - USA Today - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- House approves Harris plan to ban local taxes on streaming services - Michigan House Republicans - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Wont Back Iran Deal Without Details - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans seek to void proposed ESA reforms at the ballot - Axios - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Top Senate Republicans say theyre in the dark about the U.S. deal with Iran - Jewish Insider - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans think they live on the moral high ground - thegazette.com - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Who stays home may threaten Republicans this year as much as who votes - CNN - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Something unusual is going on between Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans - Tampa Bay Times - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- No soccer fans here: World Cup fever fails to grip Texas Republicans - The Guardian - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Will Trump spend his $350 million war chest to win Texas? Republicans are worried - Reuters - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Texas Republicans add bans on IVF and Sharia law to their party platform - Austin American-Statesman - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans Advance Funding Bill Cutting $2 Billion from Affordable Care Act, Firing 30,000 Teachers and Eliminating Job Training - House.gov - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- DeLauro: Republicans are cutting funding that helps working families afford basic necessities, while giving $70 billion to ICE and the Border Patrol... - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans split on following Trumps demands for restrictive voting bill - The Guardian - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans pass bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the end of Trumps term - NBC News - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans propose rescinding roadless rule by tacking it onto federal wildfire bill - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Can Republicans move past Ken Paxton's impeachment as he campaigns for the Senate? - Texarkana Gazette - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans in Our House of Representative Should Demand Accountability - CT Examiner - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans just took ICE spending fights off the table. It wont end shutdown threats. - Politico - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- About 1 in 5 Americans have used crypto; Republicans use has ticked up - Pew Research Center - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Proof of citizenship. Closed primaries. IVF. Here's what Texas Republicans want - Dallas News - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Ohio Republicans put voter ID on November ballot even though its already law - Democracy Docket - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Sens. Pete Ricketts and Ted Cruz rally Republicans in Lincoln for close Senate election against 'dishonest' left - Nebraska Public Media - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Q&A: Meet the Republicans vying for Colorados 3rd Congressional District - VailDaily.com - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans defying Donald Trump - The Economist - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans are poised to finish this years redistricting war 10 seats ahead of Democrats - CNN - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Louisiana Legislature approves redistricting plan to give Republicans another US House seat - Mississippi Today - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Politics Friday Special: Democrats and Republicans convene for their party conventions - MPR News - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- 3 US House Republicans Attempt to Thwart Intoxicating Hemp Product Ban - Cannabis Business Times - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Trumps emerging plan to end Iran war draws criticism from hard-line Republicans - PBS - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans deny juicing votes as they attempt to put already existing law on midterm ballot - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans are gutting southern Dem districts. Dems might front-load the South in its 2028 primaries to respond. - Politico - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- House Republicans take aim at Boston law enforcement over ICE interactions - NBC Boston - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Analysis | What are Republicans going to campaign on? - The Washington Post - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Louisiana Republicans Complete Their Racist Redrawing of Voting Map - The New Republic - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- How Republicans are winning the war over US congressional redistricting, state by state - Yahoo - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- S.E. Cupp: Republicans, be careful what you wish for - TribLIVE.com - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- The vitriol is going to be real: Republicans brace for fallout from brutal Texas Senate runoff - Politico - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans face new headache over E. Jean Carroll investigation - The Hill - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans form 'YOLO conference' amid exits and primary losses - KOAA News 5 - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans seethe over Trump's snub of John Cornyn in Texas - USA Today - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans angry and alarmed over Trumps Paxton endorsement - Politico - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans Head to Runoffs for Senate and Governor Races - Time Magazine - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Republicans Burt Jones and Rick Jackson advance to a runoff in the Georgia governor primary, setting up a MAGA clash - NBC News - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans worry their path to defeating Ossoff is becoming more difficult - Politico - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- College Republicans Split Over Whether to Embrace the Far Right - The New York Times - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]