Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (R) sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday after Trump publicly shared what appeared to be Sen. Tom Cotton’s cellphone number during a dispute over daylight saving time.
The Louisiana Republican made the remarks during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Kennedy was asked whether Trump’s attack on Cotton, a fellow Republican, was helpful to the party with the midterm elections just one month away.
“Every now and then there are disputes in Congress that have existential significance for Western civilization,” Kennedy said.
“Daylight saving time is not one of them.”
Kennedy then defended Cotton, who has opposed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.
“Tom is a rock star senator,” Kennedy said.
“If you get between him and what’s best for Arkansas, he’ll devour you like a light snack.”
Kennedy also described Trump as a friend before criticizing the president’s temperament.
“The president, as we know, can be sometimes — um — he exists loudly,” Kennedy said.
“He can be tempestuous.”
Kennedy then delivered the line that drew the most attention.
“He can go from zero to a-hole in three seconds,” Kennedy said.
The senator specifically objected to Trump publishing what he said was Cotton’s cellphone number.
“I don’t think he should have given out Tom’s cell phone number,” Kennedy said.
“I don’t think that’s going to help convince Tom.”
Trump had spent much of Saturday criticizing Cotton over the Sunshine Protection Act.
The president urged Republicans to “LOCK THE CLOCK” and argued that making daylight saving time permanent would give Americans more afternoon sunlight.
Trump also publicly encouraged Arkansas voters to contact Cotton and pressure him to support the measure.
Cotton has refused to back down.
The Arkansas Republican argued that permanent daylight saving time would create extremely late winter sunrises and force some children to travel to school in darkness.
Kennedy’s remarks put him in the middle of the dispute.
While he did not attack Trump’s broader agenda, he made clear that he believed the president crossed a line by publishing Cotton’s number over the issue.
Kennedy also used the interview to talk about the midterm elections.
He said the cost of living remains the biggest issue facing Republicans heading into November.
Kennedy warned his party against dismissing voters’ economic concerns.
“Telling them not to believe their own lying checkbooks is not going to work,” Kennedy said.
He also acknowledged that Republicans bear some responsibility.
“Some of that is our fault,” he said.
“We should have done more.”
Kennedy was also asked about his own political future.
The 74-year-old senator said he is currently planning to seek reelection to the Senate, per Salon.
But he did not rule out a 2028 presidential run.
Asked directly whether he was considering running for president, Kennedy answered, “Yeah.”
He said his decision could depend on who else enters the race.
“If a bunch of goobers run, and I think they’re goobers and one of the goobers might win, and I think I can do a better job,” Kennedy said, “I would consider running.”
For now, Kennedy says his focus remains on his Senate role and the upcoming midterms.
But his comments Sunday made clear he is willing to publicly challenge Trump when he believes the president has gone too far.
And in the case of Trump’s feud with Cotton, Kennedy said posting the senator’s phone number crossed that line.
