Kinzinger Calls Trump a ‘Professional Whiner and Bellyacher’ While Explaining Why GOP Rivals Slammed Decisions to Keep Him off Ballot

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger ripped former President Donald Trump for being a “professional victim.”

During a CNN panel discussion on Friday, Kinzinger addressed the fact that Colorado’s Supreme Court and Maine’s Secretary of State have banned Trump from their respective state ballots. They cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars those who have engaged in “insurrection” from holding U.S. civilian and military office. As such, they said Trump’s actions ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot meet the criteria.

Trump’s campaign has said he will appeal the decisions in federal court. Meanwhile, his opponents have pounced on the rulings despite the fact they presumably stand to benefit from them.

“Trump’s rivals – you’ve heard them – they’re backing him. They’re saying he should not be taken off the ballot for 2024,” said Brianna Keilar on Friday before asking Kinzinger for his reaction. “Politically speaking, do they have any other choice?”

“No,” he replied. “They have to say this. I mean, I’m not saying it’s not principled. I think about half of them are more principled than anything. But in Chris Christie’s case particularly, he’s been clear of his feelings on Donald Trump.”

Kinzinger went on to say that the Republican candidates cannot publicly embrace banning Trump from the ballot would make the candidates appear “weak.”

“It does not help you with the base, doesn’t help you with the election,” he continued. “I think this is probably good for Donald Trump politically because he’s a professional victim, a professional whiner and bellyacher. And this allows him to feed more into that ‘he’s such a poor victim’ narrative. So, I think his opponents are saying what they need to say on the campaign trail for now.”

Watch above via CNN.