While the content of Nixonian tape of lame duck president Donald Trump threatening, cajoling and pleading with Georgia election officials is a disgusting display of ego and abuse of power, Republicans seem less concerned about the potential illegality and definite immorality of Trump’s call and more about the fact that is was (gasp!) recorded.
“Imagine calling yourself a ‘Republican’ and secretly and maliciously recording a call with the leader of your party and President of the United States THEN leaking it to The Washington Post Georgia’s Brad Raffensburger is a total disgrace and he should immediately resign in shame” – so-called conservative Charlie Kirk
“Mind boggling that @GaSecofState and his lawyers would secretly record and release a confidential settlement conference with the President. I have made open records requests to the Secretary of State which have never been acknowledged or answered. This is lawlessness.” – Georgia GOP chairman David Shafer
“I don’t record my calls with the President of the United States. It’s humbling to have the opportunity to speak with the leader of the free world. Betraying the trust of the honor of those conversations is abominable. #Pathetic #Sickening” – Kelli Ward, chair of the Arizona GOP
“President Trump sounded really good (strong, clear voice; no static) on the ‘recording’ – he cares about #ElectionIntegrity, as all Americans do. Thank you, Mr. President!” – Arizona Republican Party