'Traitor': Trump condemns GOP senator who refused to bend the knee and vote for Todd Blanche
Cassidy backed Blanche on the Senate floor, saying the former Trump lawyer could be equipped to push back against the president.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates AOL.com, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
AOL is an established publisher, but this page shows signs of carrying reporting and material from outside outlets rather than presenting a clearly documented original reporting process. The article includes an attributed reporter byline and quotes from named officials.
- Source type — An established national news and information publisher, though this article includes outside reporting contributions.
- Author attribution — A named author is credited.
- Transparency — The article credits The Independent and Associated Press in its text, but does not clearly identify a single original publisher.
The article provides a specific vote tally, quotes several senators on opposing sides, and describes Blanche’s written commitments. It offers limited independent context for assessing the competing claims about Blanche’s independence.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents criticism of the nomination alongside Republican support and explains Cassidy’s rationale for voting yes. It does not include a direct response from Blanche to the concerns about his independence.
- Counterarguments presented — It includes arguments against the confirmation from Murkowski and Durbin and support from Cassidy and Grassley.
- Source diversity — Several senators from both parties are quoted or described.
- Omitted context — Blanche’s written concessions are reported, but he is not quoted addressing the independence concerns.
The article reports the senators’ competing views and Trump’s post in largely descriptive language. Its use of terms such as “lashed out” characterizes the attack but does not establish a discernible partisan lean.
- Language tone — Mostly descriptive, with some characterizing language about Trump’s attack.
- Source selection — Includes statements from senators opposing and supporting the confirmation.
- Framing — Centers on Trump’s criticism of Murkowski while also explaining the confirmation vote and the senators’ positions.
Republished with credit
Republished from The Independent, with credit to the original publisher.
132 stories · 76–77 · updated Oct 1, 2026
This is The Independent's own score, and this article is credited to The Independent. The host score in the Source Check is AOL.com's.
President Trump called Sen. Lisa Murkowski a “traitor” after she voted against Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general. Blanche was confirmed 50-49, with Sen. Bill Cassidy supplying the decisive Republican vote after Blanche agreed to abandon a proposed compensation fund and narrow IRS audit protections.
Trump attacked Murkowski on Truth Social after the Alaska senator opposed Blanche’s confirmation, saying she had supported Merrick Garland but objected that Blanche was too political. Murkowski said she lacked confidence that Blanche would be independent of the White House and pointed to settlement terms involving a proposed fund for Trump allies and IRS audit protections for the president’s family.
Blanche was confirmed 50-49. Cassidy said on the Senate floor that he would support Blanche, citing former Attorney General William Barr’s view that Blanche’s experience as Trump’s lawyer could help him push back against the president. Blanche agreed in writing to abandon the proposed fund and narrow the settlement terms. Durbin called the confirmation a serious mistake, while Grassley endorsed Blanche’s credentials.
Community verdict
18 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator who opposed Todd Blanche’s confirmation and was criticized by Trump
Murkowski's version of this story ↗Attorney general whose Senate confirmation is at the center of the story
Blanche's version of this story ↗President who attacked Murkowski over her vote
Trump's version of this story ↗Senator who endorsed Blanche during debate
Former attorney general mentioned as having left the post
Former attorney general mentioned in Trump’s criticism of Murkowski
Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation
Former president mentioned in Trump’s comparison to an earlier attorney general confirmation
Senator who criticized Blanche’s confirmation
Part of a bigger story
11 OUTLETSOutlets agree that Bill Cassidy said he would support Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination while Lisa Murkowski said she would oppose it. Center outlets report the split alongside concerns about the Justice Department, a proposed fund and tax protections, including Cassidy’s support despite reservations. Right-leaning outlets likewise report both senators’ positions but stress that confirmation remained uncertain.
- ARTICLES
- 14
- OUTLETS
- 11
- AVG CRED
- 82
- Houston Public Media · Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, narrowing his path to confirmation
- The Philadelphia Inquirer · Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general
- Winnipeg Free Press · The Latest: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she'll oppose Blanche's nomination
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