Former GOP Rep Kinzinger Endorses Biden

Facts

• Former Illinois Republican US Rep. Adam Kinzinger on Wednesday endorsed Democratic Pres. Joe Biden for reelection over former Pres. Donald Trump.¹
• Kinzinger, who served on the House committee that investigated Trump's alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, posted a video saying he's a 'proud conservative' but that his 'unwavering support for democracy' compels him to back Biden.²
• The former military pilot, who declined to run for reelection in 2022 after being one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, also called the presumptive GOP presidential nominee someone who'll 'hurt anyone or anything in pursuit of power.'³
• Recently, Austin Weatherford, Kinzinger's former chief of staff, was announced as the head of the Biden campaign's outreach to Republican voters.⁴
• The Biden campaign shared Kinzinger's video on its social channels. This endorsement comes as the Democratic president's campaign is increasing efforts to target moderate Republicans ahead of the general election.⁵

Sources: ¹USA Today, ²X.com, ³Associated Press, ⁴Guardian and ⁵CBS.

Narratives

• Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Kinzinger has earned a reputation as a moderate, but his voting record shows he certainly leaned farther to the right than the impression he left by vocally opposing Trump. Nonetheless, his stance against Trump and his allies' assault on democracy is courageous and important. It'll only be impactful, though, if other high-profile Republicans have the fortitude to join him.
• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Kinzinger may claim to be a conservative, but his constant opposition to Trump and his siding with Democrats on several key issues while in Congress show he was never on the GOP's side. Perhaps he has a personal vendetta against Trump, but whatever his motivation, Kinzinger's endorsement means little in the face of Trump's overwhelming support from real Republicans.

Predictions