Donald Trump took aim Sunday night at Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol, who suggested on Twitter that news of an “impressive” independent conservative presidential candidate is forthcoming.
In a series of tweets, Trump criticized Kristol, calling him a “dummy” and “an embarrassed loser,” suggesting the pundit reflects a lack of party unity that could affect the ideological composition of the Supreme Court.
“The Republican Party has to be smart & strong if it wants to win in November. Can’t allow lightweights to set up a spoiler Indie candidate!” Trump tweeted.
Kristol did not give any indication of who the candidate might be, other than saying the person will have a “strong team and a real chance.”
“Just a heads up over this holiday weekend: There will be an independent candidate–an impressive one, with a strong team and a real chance,” Kristol tweeted.
Reached for comment Monday morning, Kristol would only say, “Still lots of I’s to dot and T’s to cross.”
A persistent critic of the presumptive GOP nominee, Kristol has repeatedly been the center of rumblings and machinations around a possible independent bid.
Earlier in May, Kristol met with former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to discuss possible options for independent candidates.
On Monday evening, Kristol noted that Trump had been paying attention to his missives, tweeting:
“I’m traveling, so hadn’t realized I’d so upset @realDonaldTrump. I’m sorry the mere mention of an independent candidate has so unnerved him.”
And he was still responding to Trump on Tuesday afternoon.
“I gather Donald Trump said I’m a loser. I’ve won some and I’ve lost some, but one thing I’ve always tried not to be is a roaring jackass,” Kristol tweeted.