Sen. John Kennedy criticized President Trump for publicly posting what appeared to be Sen. Tom Cotton's cellphone number after a dispute over making daylight saving time permanent. Kennedy defended Cotton and called the episode trivial while warning that the cost of living will be the dominant issue in the upcoming midterms. He also said he plans to seek reelection and would consider a 2028 presidential run if the GOP field is weak.
Sen. John Kennedy: Trump 'Can Go From Zero to A‑Hole in Three Seconds' After Sharing Sen. Cotton's Phone Number
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana calls out Trump for crossing the line over daylight savings time and mulls a run for president on Meet the Press. MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) sharply criticized President Donald Trump on NBC's Meet the Press after the president publicly posted what appeared to be Sen. Tom Cotton's cellphone number following a dispute over daylight saving time.
Kennedy dismissed the clash as trivial in the face of bigger issues facing voters. "Every now and then there are disputes in Congress that have existential significance for Western civilization," he said. "Daylight saving time is not one of them." He defended Cotton's position opposing the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, calling the Arkansas senator "a rock star" and saying, "If you get between him and what's best for Arkansas, he'll devour you like a light snack."
"The president, as we know, can be sometimes — um — he exists loudly," Kennedy said. "He can be tempestuous. He can go from zero to a-hole in three seconds."
Kennedy added that publishing Cotton's phone number was unnecessary and unlikely to persuade the senator: "I don't think he should have given out Tom's cell phone number. I don't think that's going to help convince Tom." Trump, who has been urging Republicans to "LOCK THE CLOCK," published the number as part of a push for permanent daylight saving time so Americans would get more afternoon sunlight.
Beyond the bickering over the clock, Kennedy delivered a blunt assessment of the Republican outlook ahead of the midterms. He warned that the cost of living is the election's top issue and urged his party not to dismiss voters' economic concerns: "Telling them not to believe their own lying checkbooks is not going to work. Some of that is our fault. We should have done more."
Kennedy, 74, said he plans to seek reelection to the Senate but did not rule out a future presidential bid. When asked whether he would consider running in 2028, he replied, "Yeah," adding that he might run if he found the GOP field lacking.
Key Facts: Trump published what appeared to be Sen. Cotton's phone number after Cotton opposed the Sunshine Protection Act; Kennedy defended Cotton, criticized Trump's tactics, and cautioned Republicans to focus on voters' economic concerns. Kennedy remains a Senate reelection candidate and left open a possible 2028 presidential run.
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