Trump calls Bill Cassidy a 'disloyal disaster' and 'sleazebag'

A Clash of Loyalties and Power

President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, in a recent social media post. He labeled Cassidy as “a disloyal disaster,” a “sleazebag,” and “a terrible guy” who he claims is “bad” for his own state. This outburst highlights the growing rift between Cassidy and the former president, particularly after Cassidy voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial following the U.S. Capitol riots.

Cassidy's decision to vote against Trump has seemingly cost him significant support within the Republican Party. It appears that his attempts to regain favor with the president have not been successful, and it’s possible that he has lost the backing of MAGA voters.

Currently, Cassidy is trailing behind two other candidates in the GOP primary for his Louisiana Senate seat. The two-term incumbent is polling in third place, with Representative Julia Letlow and Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming leading the race.

If Cassidy finishes third and loses the primary, it would mark a major victory for Trump. This outcome would demonstrate that Trump still holds considerable influence over the Republican Party and can effectively punish those who defy him.

“Going to Get Clobbered”

Trump’s strong words against Cassidy suggest that he is not willing to forgive the senator for voting to impeach him in 2021. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with Cassidy, stating that his past campaign was centered around supporting Trump, only for Cassidy to later vote to impeach him.

“His entire past campaign for the Senate was about ‘TRUMP,’ how he’s with me all the way, and then, after winning, he turned around and voted to IMPEACH me for something that has now proven to be total ‘bullshit!’,” Trump wrote. He added, “He knew that at the time, but didn’t care.”

Trump also suggested that Cassidy is “going to get CLOBBERED” in the primary, praising the other two candidates as “two great people.” He called Letlow “a winner who will NEVER let you down.”

Trump Is ‘Guilty’

In explaining his decision to convict Trump in 2021, Cassidy stated clearly, “I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.” During the 2024 presidential cycle, Cassidy criticized Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric, calling it damaging and inappropriate. He described the language as “dehumanizing” and said it reflected poorly on the country.

Cassidy also warned that Trump’s communication style often “walks up to the edge,” suggesting it comes close to crossing acceptable political or moral boundaries.

Despite these criticisms, Cassidy attempted to realign himself with Trump and the MAGA movement over the past two years. He supported controversial Cabinet nominees like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, adopted more Trump-friendly rhetoric, and embraced unpopular tariffs. However, this effort has not succeeded in regaining Trump’s favor.

The Answer From the Polls—And Voters

On the day of the primary, most polls show Cassidy in third place, with Letlow and Fleming leading the race. A poll by Quantus Insights conducted between May 6 and 7 showed Letlow ahead with 42 percent of the vote, followed by Fleming with 30 percent, and Cassidy with 20 percent.

GOP voters have until 8 p.m. local time (CT), or 9 p.m. ET, to decide whether they want Cassidy to run for a third term or choose one of the two other candidates.

Other Republicans Who Voted to Convict Trump in 2021

Among the six other Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in 2021 alongside Cassidy, only a few remain in the Senate. Former Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska left the Senate to become president of the University of Florida. Former Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania announced their retirements and did not seek re-election. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah announced his retirement from the Senate in 2024.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is still serving in the Senate, and Trump has shown no interest in challenging her due to the state’s Democratic leanings. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is also still serving in the Senate after surviving Trump’s opposition in 2022, aided by Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system.