Kinzinger says Trump is becoming 'irrelevant' and that GOP voters are 'being abused'
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- Rep. Adam Kinzinger argued that "Trumpism isn't dying" on ABC News' "This Week."
- He also told Republican voters that some GOP leaders are lying to them.
- His remarks came after the Jan. 6 committee began airing details of Trump's involvement in the Capitol riot.
After he acknowledged the power and longevity of "Trumpism," Rep. Adam Kinzinger argued some members of the Republican party were taking advantage of pro-Trump voters by lying to them.
"Trumpism isn't dying, even though Trump is becoming irrelevant," the Illinois Republican said Sunday on ABC News' "This Week." I am hearing a lot of anecdotal stuff, around the edges, of people who've been hardcore with Trump that now just can't stand him."
His remarks come after the January 6 House Select Committee — of which he is one of two Republican members — has investigated and aired details about the 2021 attack on the Capitol. Kinzinger said he believes the committee has "proven" enough for the Department of Justice to incriminate Trump.
"I think the long term...in like five years, I still believe it's going to be hard to find someone that will ever admit they were ever a Trump supporter, and I think this is where this impact comes, in future history," Kinzinger added.
To those who still hold Trump in high esteem, Kinzinger said: "You are being abused."
He insisted that Trump voters could direct their anger at him and Rep. Liz Cheney — the two Republicans on the January 6 committee — but maintained that "We're not the ones lying to you. It's the people you think are telling you what you want to hear. They're the liars, and [House Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy is among them."
"Ladies and gentlemen and particularly my Republican friends, your leaders, by and large, have been lying to you. They know stuff very different than what they've been telling you. They know the election wasn't stolen, but they're going to send out fundraising requests, they're gonna take your money from you, and they're going to use you to stay in power," he added.
—This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 24, 2022
Kinzinger has decided not to run for re-election this year. H did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.