Multiple House Republicans have anonymously expressed dissatisfaction with former President Trump's performance in his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, acknowledging that he "missed" opportunities to attack Harris effectively and tout his own record.
House Republicans have privately expressed frustration with former President Trump's performance in his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, according to multiple lawmakers who spoke to Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity.
Several GOP lawmakers acknowledged that Trump "missed" opportunities to effectively attack Harris and tout his own record, with some describing it as the prevailing sentiment within the House Republican Conference. They argued that Harris successfully baited Trump on multiple occasions, though most downplayed the ultimate impact on Election Day.
House Republicans Privately Express Frustration with Trump's Debate Performance
"It was terrible," one senior House Republican told Fox News Digital. "I think you're seeing that comment from everybody."
Another House GOP lawmaker went even further, calling the debate a "dumpster fire" for the former president. "It was one of the worst bloodlettings I've ever seen," the lawmaker said, adding that Trump's appearance next to Harris made him look "old."
House Republicans Privately Express Frustration with Trump's Debate Performance
While most Republicans shrugged off the debate's ultimate effect on the election, one lawmaker expressed concern, saying, "I think it's gonna sway the people in the middle, who matter."
A third Republican said Harris "certainly got under [Trump's] skin," and conference members agreed that "she did well." They argued that Trump's policies and record are far stronger than Harris', expressing dismay that they weren't more prominent in his performance.
House Republicans Privately Express Frustration with Trump's Debate Performance
"While he made many [good] points, she was able to slide out of every one of those arguments," the third Republican said. "We need to stop treating her like she's Joe Biden, someone who can't get her thoughts out, and treat her more like Hillary Clinton."
A fourth GOP lawmaker, when asked for their reaction, simply said, "I prefer not to answer questions about cats and dogs and immigrants," insinuating that Trump had focused too much on these issues.
House Republicans Privately Express Frustration with Trump's Debate Performance
Several Republicans privately expressed dismay at Trump's debate performance, including his failure to highlight Harris' record. However, they also acknowledged that Trump's own behavior contributed to his struggles during the debate.
"They set a trap, and he walked into it," the fifth lawmaker said. "He wasn't helped, but there were so many easy things he could've said. Instead, she poked and prodded until she got a reaction."
A sixth GOP lawmaker simply said, "I do think he missed some opportunities to highlight her record. And I'll leave it at that."
A seventh Republican described Harris as "doing a good job provoking [Trump]," complaining that "he's right on policy but can't keep a message."
Despite the private frustrations, the majority of House Republicans who spoke publicly praised Trump's performance, with the top GOP leaders declaring victory for the ex-president minutes after the debate. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described Trump as exposing "Kamala Harris for the dangerous radical she has always been," while Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said that "President Trump delivered a masterful debate performance."
