Representative Nicole Malliotakis, one of 13 Republicans who helped pass Biden’s $1.2 trillion ‘infrastructure’ bill, was reportedly left “visibly shaken” after Donald Trump berated the 13 during remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner Monday.
The former President criticized GOP members who helped push the infrastructure bill across the finish line, one of few tangible victories for President Biden in his first year in office.
The vote came after a devastating election night for Democrats in Virginia – and would not have passed without the Republican defectors.
Trump delivered a lengthy speech of which details are scarce, but multiple reports indicate he berated those who crossed the aisle on the infrastructure bill.
Malliotakis was actually present for the public scolding according to New York Post reporter Juliegrace Brufke.
“Malliotakis appeared visibly shaken as Trump railed against her and other Republican House members,” the Post reports.
Per a source at the NRCC dinner with Trump last evening: “He railed on 13 Rs who voted for infrastructure with Nicole Malliotakis there. She was visibly shaken by it.” The source added it was a lengthly speech and Trump was friendly with McCarthy.
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) November 9, 2021
RELATED: Trump Rips Republicans Who Helped Pass Biden’s $1.2 Trillion ‘Infrastructure’ Bill
Trump Slams 13 Republicans, Nicole Malliotakis
Nicole Malliotakis may have been present for the verbal tongue-lashing from Trump, but it was a total of 13 Republicans who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and helped President Biden get a win when he was clearly on the ropes.
The list includes Adam Kinzinger (IL), Don Bacon (NE), Don Young (AK), John Katko (NY), Tom Reed (NY), Andrew Garbarino (NY), Nicole Malliotakis (NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Chris Smith (NJ), Jeff Van Drew (NJ), Fred Upton (MI), Anthony Gonzalez (OH), and David McKinley (WV).
It was less than one year ago that Malliotakis was considered a member of “The Force,” a Republican answer to the Squad.
Move over AOC, meet @NMalliotakis, a descendent of Cuban immigrants who experienced the dangers of communism and socialism up-close, who has started the Freedom Squad. Joining her are @CarlosGimenezFL , @MaElviraSalazar, & @Victoria_Spartz. We welcome the Freedom Squad to DC! 🇺🇸
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 20, 2020
Now she is being blasted amongst a group of “RINOs” for helping push an infrastructure bill the Squad couldn’t even bring themselves to vote for.
Malliotakis has defended her vote saying the bill is “incredibly good” for her district and is different from the “socialist spending spree.”
Still, during an interview with Fox News Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino in which the hosts repeatedly pressed her as to why she joined Democrats in the vote, Malliotakis said her effort ‘didn’t really matter’ and wouldn’t have changed anything if she opposed the bill.
“I will say the bill already had the votes by the time I had walked in the chamber to cast my vote,” she argued. “But I think that’s really an irrelevant point.”
“Look, had this bill not passed, what would have happened is AOC and the Squad would have had more leverage because they were going to pass infrastructure no matter what,” she contended.
RELATED: Biden’s Approval Rating Plunges To 38% – And Kamala’s Is Even Worse
Trump Is Livid
Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump slammed the “RINOs” who helped pass the infrastructure bill.
“Very sad that the RINOs in the House and Senate Gave Biden and Democrats a victory on the ‘Non-Infrastructure’ Bill, where only 11% of the money being wasted goes to real infrastructure,” he said. “They just don’t get it!”
Trump went after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a statement Tuesday. The bill cleared the Senate in August.
“Why is it that Old Crow Mitch McConnell voted for a terrible Democrat Socialist Infrastructure Plan, and induced others in his Party to do likewise, when he was incapable of getting a great Infrastructure Plan wanting to be put forward by me and the Republican Party?” he said.
“Also, why did Mitch give the Democrats a two-month hiatus, just long enough for them to figure it all out, when they were completely ready to fold?”
lmfao
Rep. Malliotakis credits Trump for infrastructure getting done
“President Trump laid the groundwork for this infrastructure to pass … I’m happy and appreciative to President Trump for being one of the first to talk about the need for infrastructure”
h/t @AlexGuiden pic.twitter.com/wK1EIxCx6J
— Lis Power (@LisPower1) November 8, 2021
Malliotakis meanwhile has suggested it was Trump who helped lay the groundwork for the infrastructure bill to pass.
“President Trump deserves some credit for initially saying we need to invest $1 trillion in our infrastructure,” she said in an interview with CNN.
Malliotakis added that she was “happy and appreciative” that Trump was “one of the first to talk about the need for infrastructure.”
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