President Donald Trump on Wednesday launched a lengthy rant against the Virginia redistricting referendum, which is expected to send up to 10 Democrats to Congress. In his post on Truth Social, two words stood out: 'extraordinarily brilliant,' as he described himself.
Trump's Unsubstantiated Claims
As he often does with unfavorable outcomes, Trump complained without evidence that the referendum was 'rigged.' He railed against mail-in votes and claimed that the ballot language was 'purposefully unintelligible and deceptive.'
'I am an extraordinarily brilliant person,' he declared on Truth Social. 'And even I had no idea what the hell they were talking about in the Referendum, and neither do they!'
Critics Respond
Critics mocked the president for his over-the-top claim about his intelligence, but many also delivered a warning, saying the post is proof that he is gearing up to contest the midterm elections if, as expected, Republicans lose one or both houses of Congress.
Representative Ted Lieu tweeted: 'It is a fact of human nature that anyone who is an “extraordinarily brilliant person” never feels the need to say that.'
Another user commented: 'A demented Trump releases a statement calling last night’s Virginia election “rigged” before calling himself “an extraordinarily brilliant person.”'
Camille MacKenzie wrote: 'Come on. This is getting so old with him. No, it wasn’t rigged or “STOLLEN”. And the self-flattery is getting even more gross. “As everyone knows, I am an extraordinarily brilliant person …” Yeah, no, Grandpa. You never will be and you never were. Get over yourself.'
Warnings About Future Elections
Andrew Feinberg noted: '“Extraordinarily brilliant” Trump leaves no doubt he will challenge any election GOP losses as “rigged” with latest post.'
Marlene Robertson said: 'I’m not sure what’s more ludicrous, a rigged election because Trump’s team lost or referring to himself as an “extraordinarily brilliant person.”'
Jennifer Erin Valent warned: 'Let’s not kid ourselves here, this is going to be the way this “extraordinarily brilliant person” deals with every single loss. He got away with J6, he pardoned the rioters, he keeps repeating the big lie. He’ll use the rigged election method from here on out.'
Keith Olbermann quipped: 'Never mind Trump's usual Loser's Lyrics. He actually thinks he's “extraordinarily brilliant” rather than challenged.'
Mike Bates pointed out: 'Trump today: “As everyone knows, I am an extraordinarily brilliant person. . .” That must be why he threatened his high school, his colleges, and the College Board with lawsuits if they ever released his grades or SAT scores.'
Steven Pifer noted: 'As any extraordinarily brilliant person could have easily found out, Northern Virginia, which is heavily populated and heavily blue, typically reports its results late in the evening.'
Joe Patrice commented: '“As everyone knows, I am an extraordinarily brilliant person...” I tell young lawyers all the time “if you see adverbs, assume the author knows they can't back up their claim.”'
