A political commentator mocking Donald Trump's alleged "odor" has caused uproar on social media.
According to CNN Senior Political Commentator and former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger, the business mogul's smell is "truly something to behold."
"I'm genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven't talked about the odor," the 45-year-old posted to X—formerly Twitter—on December 16, advising his 933,000 followers to "wear a mask" in Trump's presence.
The accusation went viral, receiving over 3.6 million views in 48 hours and sparking jokes about the former president.
"He looks like he would smell of moth balls and body odor," said Joe albino.
"It's most likely a fear hormone," wrote Dr. Haidak.
"I've heard from a reliable source, that Trump smells of soiled diapers, Axe Body Spray and hotdog burps," said True Blue.
"I strongly feel like I could have gone without this information," commented Cy, while @staycalm25 said: "Just another reason to be disgusted by him."
However, Trump fans leapt to the real estate magnate's defense, calling Kinzinger "pathetic."
"What are you, twelve?" asked Texas Patriot.
"Sounds so petty, childish and spiteful!" said John Lincoln.
"You are such a sad little embarrassment," commented Ultra Grateful Calvin.
"Do you have something else you could be doing?" wrote Tom Ripley. "We get you don't like the guy but it obviously consumes your mind 24/7."
Newsweek has reached out to Adam Kinzinger for comment via Instagram and Donald Trump via email.
Kinzinger isn't the first to comment on the 77-year-old Trump's door.
Kathy Griffin angered Trump supporters in March after claiming the property tycoon smelled "really bad" when she appeared on The Apprentice in 2010. The comedian appeared in two episodes of the reality show, in which Trump judged the business acumen of wannabe entrepreneurs.
"I was never contestant," the 63-year-old said in an X post. "However, I did participate in two challenges.
"One I did because of my dear departed, beloved Joan Rivers. The other one I did because Trump paid me a bunch of money to spend the day with Liza Minnelli and host a challenge.
"Liza and I tried to ignore him, but he does smell really bad."
Griffin was a vocal critic of Trump throughout his presidency. In 2017, the actress came under fire for posing with the severed head of a Trump dummy on Halloween, derailing her career for a number of years.
This isn't the first time that Kinzinger has hit out at Trump. An Illinois representative from 2011 to 2023, Kinzinger has made no attempt to hide his disdain for the entrepreneur and his supporters.
He was one of two Republicans to feature on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riots, and has expressed regret for not voting to impeach Trump in 2021.
"Watching the Jenna Ellis tapes, holy cats, Trump is done," Kinzinger posted to social media in November, after Trump's former attorney Jenna Ellis took a plea deal in the Georgia 2020 election interference case—becoming the fourth defendant to do so.
The lawsuit is one of four ongoing legal cases against Trump, with the politician facing 91 counts across four jurisdictions including New York, Florida and Washington.
On Friday, Kinzinger celebrated the ruling against former Trump acolyte Rudy Giuliani, writing: "God bless the jury."
Giuliani was forced to pay $148 million to Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, after he claimed the Georgia election workers had committed voter fraud. As a result, the mother and daughter duo were inundated with threats from Trump fans, disrupting their lives and putting their safety at risk.
"Outstanding," added Kinzinger. "Rudy went from [America's] hero to a disgraced drunk."
Despite his legal struggles, Trump is the favorite to win the Republican nomination. According to polling analysis site FiveThirtyEight, Trump is currently leading the polls at 63 percent—more than 50 points ahead of his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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