President Donald Trump launched a blistering late-night attack against radio host Charlamagne Tha God following the broadcaster’s critical assessment of his presidency during an appearance on Lara Trump’s Fox News show Saturday, escalating into a heated public confrontation that dominated social media headlines.
The explosive exchange began when Charlamagne, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, appeared on “My View” and delivered unflattering remarks about Trump’s presidential performance. When asked by the president’s daughter-in-law to rate the Trump presidency, the radio personality indicated he wouldn’t provide a positive rating because vulnerable populations continue facing the greatest challenges under current policies.
Charlamagne acknowledged personal benefits from tax breaks in Trump’s legislative package but expressed concern about broader impacts on less fortunate citizens. He specifically criticized policies that could reduce Medicaid access and worsen financial situations for struggling Americans, stating that people are currently hurting under the administration.
Trump’s response came at 2:30 a.m. Sunday through his preferred Truth Social platform, where he dismissed the broadcaster with personal attacks. The president labeled Charlamagne as a “racist sleazebag” and questioned his use of “God” in his professional nickname, suggesting there would be public outrage if he used similar religious references in his own branding.
In his social media tirade, Trump described Charlamagne as having low intelligence and claimed the radio host knows nothing about him or his accomplishments. The president escalated beyond policy disagreements into character attacks, calling him a “dope” and referencing his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris as evidence of poor judgment.
The president took particular issue with Charlamagne’s stage name containing “Tha God,” though Trump himself has made similar divine references. During his 2016 victory, Trump reflected that only God could have accomplished his election win. He joked during an August 2019 press conference that he was “the chosen one,” glancing theatrically toward the skies.
Trump previously tweeted quotes from conspiracy theorist Wayne Allyn Root, reflecting on how Jewish people in Israel love him like he’s the King of Israel and “like he is the second coming of God.” The president has similarly described his near brush with death at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as evidence of divine backing, stating he felt God’s presence and was saved by the hand of God.
Beyond his presidency rating, Charlamagne made bold predictions about the future of the Republican Party that likely contributed to Trump’s angry response. The radio host suggested traditional conservatives are positioning themselves to reclaim control from Trump’s MAGA movement, pointing to controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein documents as a potential catalyst for this political shift.
Charlamagne theorized that established Republicans see the Epstein issue as an opportunity to distance themselves from Trump without alienating his base supporters. He described what he called a “political coup” happening within the Republican Party, suggesting longtime establishment figures are strategically waiting for the right moment to reassert influence over the party’s direction.
The discussion of Jeffrey Epstein documents has become contentious among Trump supporters who expected full transparency from the Justice Department. The decision not to release additional documents from the sex trafficking investigation has generated conspiracy theories and anger among those hoping for revelations about government cover-ups.
Charlamagne defended his criticism by noting that he maintains consistent standards regardless of political party affiliation. He told Lara Trump that he previously criticized President Biden with equal intensity when he disagreed with Democratic policies and performance, positioning himself as an independent voice willing to challenge leaders from both parties based on their actions rather than partisan loyalty.
The radio personality’s track record of bipartisan criticism lends credibility to his assessments and demonstrates that his Trump critique stems from policy concerns rather than partisan bias. His willingness to appear on shows across the political spectrum while maintaining consistent critical standards has established him as a significant voice in political media.
This latest confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and media personalities willing to challenge his presidency, demonstrating how quickly political criticism can escalate into personal warfare in today’s polarized climate. The president’s aggressive social media response reflects his pattern of responding forcefully to any criticism, regardless of the forum or specific nature of the critique.
