President Donald Trump delivered a veiled threat to another independent Republican via his journalist fiancée, as she tried to ask him questions at a press gaggle.
Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, who pressed Trump on his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press event at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday morning, is engaged to Brian Fitzpatrick, a GOP congressman from Pennsylvania who has voted against the president on multiple occasions.
“Her husband votes against me all the time. Can you imagine?” the president said to another person in the group.
“I don't know what's with him. You better ask him what's with him,” Trump continued, before, incorrectly, adding: “She’s married to a certain Congressman.”
“He likes voting against Trump. You know what happens with that? It doesn't work out well,” the president continued.
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment about the president’s remarks to Heinrich.
Fitzpatrick is the latest in a line of Republicans to be threatened by Trump for going against his policies.
Shortly after the president’s remarks to Heinrich, Fitzpatrick clapped back, telling Meidas Touch that the president’s proposed $1.7 billion compensation fund for victims of “lawfare” and alleged government overreach was “bad news” and that he was working with others to “try and kill it.”
The policy has been criticized by opponents as a “slush fund” that can be used to financially support Trump’s allies who have been prosecuted and later pardoned by the president, such as Jan. 6 rioters.
Trump has targeted a number of high-profile Republicans that have broken with him in recent weeks, including Representative Thomas Massie, who lost the most expensive congressional primary in U.S. primary history Tuesday after the president backed his opponent for Kentucky’s 4th District, Ed Gallrein.
Massie opposed Trump on key issues of his second term, including the Epstein files and war in Iran. In response, the president mounted a campaign against him, and Gallrein ultimately was named as as the Republican nominee for the district after the $32 million race.
“Do not ever doubt President Trump and his political power. F*** around, find out,” White House communications director Steven Cheung posted on X shortly after the result was called.
Trump also endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow in the Louisiana GOP Senate primary against incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy after the latter voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges. Like Massie, Cassidy lost his race.
Last year Trump turned on one of his stalwart MAGA allies, Marjorie Taylor Greene, after she took issue with his handling of the Epstein files.
The president also took aim at Greene via her news reporter fiancé, Brian Glenn, telling a press earlier month, “You know, you act so good. I love this guy. He’s a great guy, even though I don’t love his girlfriend too much.”
Glenn announced his departure from his role as White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice a week later, saying he wanted to spend more time with friends and family. Greene resigned from Congress in January.
