Mark Kirk called Donald Trump a malignant clown.
Posted by Bannon`s War Room, Checked
- Sources
- 6 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 95%
Bannon`s War RoomOct 7, 2026
Multiple sources, including an NBC News report, an NPR article, and a Washington Post-derived report, quote Sen. Mark Kirk calling Trump "a malignant clown" in an October 7, 2016 tweet, and his tweet is reproduced in several outlets. The claim faithfully matches the passage, though the remark dates from 2016, not the post's 2026 posting date.
The played clip relays this claim without endorsing it. It counts as passed on, not against the post.
What was said
… South Dakota Senator John Thune, number three in the Senate Republican leadership, went further, saying Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately. Illinois Republican Senator Mark Kirk, who is in a tough reelection campaign, agreed that Trump should step aside, calling him a malignant clown. New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte, also in a very competitive race, said she would write in Pence for president. …
Bannon`s War Room · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Kirk's tweet calling Trump "a malignant clown - unprepared and unfit to be president" is quoted in NBC News, NPR, and a Washington Post-derived report from October 7-8, 2016.[1][2][3]
Supports. The Wusa9 and Daily Beast pieces reproduce Kirk's tweet directly, and the Sydney Morning Herald also quotes it, confirming the remark was publicly made by Kirk.[4][5][6]
Context. The passage's framing that Kirk "agreed that Trump should step aside" matches reporting that Kirk urged Trump to drop out, so the extracted claim does not add anything the post did not say.[2][6]
Context. Later coverage (Wttw, 2016-11-08) also notes Kirk's use of the "malignant clown" label against Trump, so the characterization is repeated across time, not from a single outlet.[7]
Sources
7 sources: 2 tier 2, 5 not rated
- 1In 2005 Tape, Trump Brags About Groping, Kissing Women - NPRnpr.org · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 2Donald Trump Defiant as Top Republicans Flee Candidacynbcnews.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 3Republicans rush to condemn Trump after video of candidate emergesadn.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4Republicans condemn Trump's taped remarks, but don't pull endorsementswusa9.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Tape shows disgusting Donald Trump at his sexist, misogynist worstsmh.com.au · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6Republicans Condemn Trump’s Disgusting Remarks About Womenthedailybeast.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
- 7Duckworth Defeats Kirk in Heated US Senate Racenews.wttw.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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