In a striking condemnation from within conservative circles, former Republican strategist Joseph Moreno labeled Donald Trump's hostile Thanksgiving Day social media outburst as "absolutely indefensible." The critique came during a Friday appearance on CNN's "The Lead," where Moreno suggested the former president's caustic messaging is creating a growing burden for right-leaning citizens.
A Difficult Position for Conservatives
Guest host Boris Sanchez opened the segment by questioning the tone of Trump's holiday message, asking Moreno pointedly, "What happened to 'Happy Thanksgiving?'" While Trump did begin his Thursday screed on Truth Social with seasonal greetings, the post quickly descended into a series of insults and controversial statements.
"Boris, you're putting your finger, honestly, on what's so difficult to be a conservative-leaning citizen, who my whole life has cherished vigorous but respectful debate," responded Moreno, who previously served as a federal prosecutor and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He elaborated on the personal challenge facing conservatives, noting the difficulty of defending such rhetoric to family and friends during holiday gatherings. "When you see something like this, which is absolutely indefensible, and you're sitting at the Thanksgiving table, and your family and friends say, 'How can you possibly support an administration that comes out with messages like this?' — it's not easy," Moreno explained.
The Content of Trump's Controversial Post
The lengthy tirade appeared on Trump's Truth Social platform one day after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C. The soldiers had been deployed to address crime concerns that Trump had earlier claimed required federal intervention.
Tragically, one of the National Guard members died from her wounds on Thursday. Law enforcement identified the suspect as an Afghan immigrant who had previously worked with the CIA and had legally entered the United States through a resettlement program under the Biden administration.
Within this context, Trump's post announced he would "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries" and included multiple personal attacks. He referred to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as "seriously retarded" and made baseless claims that Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia, "probably came into the U.S.A. illegally."
Governor Walz later responded to the insult with a reference to Trump's recent health claims, posting on social media: "Release the MRI results."
Broader Political Implications
Trump's post further described Omar's birth country as "decadent, backward, and crime ridden" and made derogatory comments about her Muslim faith, noting she's "always wrapped in her swaddling hijab."
Moreno used his CNN appearance to decry what he called the "name-calling, back-and-forth process" dominating contemporary political discourse. He then posed a fundamental question about the direction of the country, asking whether Americans might be better off under the leadership of President Biden or Vice President Harris.
"And you have to take the big picture view," Moreno told Sanchez. "Do you think that we're better off as a country now than we would be under a Biden or Harris administration? And is it worth putting up with a president that puts out messaging like this?"
The former strategist concluded with remarkable candor, acknowledging the genuine dilemma facing conservative voters: "It's a tough one, and I'm not gonna pretend I know the answer to that."
