Sen. Mark Kelly told The Atlantic that, while defending his wife Gabby Giffords, he considers President Donald Trump a "disabled president," a remark made amid speculation about a possible 2028 Kelly presidential run. Kelly discussed Giffords' long recovery from a 2011 assassination attempt in Tucson, which left her with a severe brain injury and aphasia. He praised her ability to connect with people and noted the couple's 2024 statement to People about personal losses, including the lost opportunity to have a child.
Sen. Mark Kelly Calls Donald Trump a 'Disabled President' While Defending Gabby Giffords
Photo Credit: Eric Lee/Getty Images
Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona sparked renewed attention after calling President Donald Trump a "disabled president" while defending his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, during a wide-ranging interview with The Atlantic's Mark Leibovich. The remark came as speculation grows about Kelly potentially running for president in 2028.
Interview Context
Asked whether the country would be ready for a First Lady who has a disability, Kelly framed his response by criticizing the current president. He said,
"Hey, in my opinion, we have a disabled president right now."Kelly went on to praise Giffords' strengths and resilience, describing how she connects with people and recounting the work she has done since the attack.
Giffords' Recovery and Life Since 2011
In 2011, at a "Congress on Your Corner" event in Tucson, Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot in the head. She survived but sustained a severe brain injury. Her long recovery required relearning to walk and speak, and she subsequently left Congress. Giffords lives with aphasia, a language disorder that affects speech and communication.
Kelly praised Giffords' ability to relate to others:
"The way she connects with people is unlike anybody else I've ever known. Before she was injured, people used to compare her with Bill Clinton."
Personal Losses and Public Statements
In a 2024 joint statement to People magazine, Giffords and Kelly reflected on the lasting consequences of the attack, including what they described as the loss of a deeply personal hope. They wrote,
"Of everything that changed that day — both of us halting our careers, the beginning of a long, difficult road to recovery — we also lost something we wanted very much: the opportunity to have a child together."
Kelly's comment about the president adds to an already heated national conversation about leadership, disability, and fitness for office. Whether intended as a personal critique or a broader political statement, the remark is likely to generate further debate as talk of a Kelly presidential bid continues.
Help us improve.
