Senator Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., asserted Tuesday that many Republican members of Congress privately hold critical views of former President Donald Trump, even while presenting a different stance publicly. Ossoff told MSNBC's Jen Psaki that a significant number of his Republican colleagues express "contempt for the president" in private discussions, viewing him as detrimental to their own political interests and electoral prospects.
"They know that he’s torpedoing GOP chances in these midterm elections," Ossoff said, adding that he does not anticipate these Republicans will publicly act against Trump due to his continued influence over the party.
Ossoff's remarks echo sentiments previously expressed by former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). In December, Greene told "60 Minutes" that it would surprise many to hear the private criticisms Republicans leveled against Trump, including "making fun of him, making fun of how he talks." However, she noted that these lawmakers often shift to a more supportive stance publicly, particularly after Trump wins primary elections.
Greene, a former ally of Trump, suggested that fear of his public reactions, such as critical posts on Truth Social, deters other Republicans from speaking out. She experienced this firsthand when Trump publicly attacked her on social media, contributing to her eventual departure from Congress after she called for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ossoff's observations come as Trump plans to address the nation, reportedly intending to promote claims of a fraudulent 2020 election and label Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., as "illegitimate" officeholders. Ossoff stated he is unaware of any Republican colleagues who privately agree with the former president on these election-related conspiracies.