Sen. Jack Reed with choice words for Trump, Texas Congressman in hot mic moment

July 25, 2017 2:19 pm

By John Krinjak

@johnkrinjak

jkrinjak@abc6.com

WASHINGTON, DC (WLNE) –

A hot microphone in a Senate hearing Tuesday caught an unusually candid moment involving Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

Red had some choice words about President Trump and a Congressman from Texas.

"I think he’s crazy. I don’t take that lightly and as kind of a goofy guy," said Reed–words apparently directed at President Trump.

The unguarded moment picked up by a microphone left on in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday.

Reed and Senator Susan Collins of Maine were discussing concerns about getting a budget passed–in which both expressed frustration with the Trump administration.

"If we don’t get a budget deal, we’re going to be paralyzed, and he hasn’t said one word, nothing," said Reed.

The conversation then turned to Republican Congressman Blake Farenthold of Texas.

Farenthold made headlines Monday when he called out "some female senators from the Northeast" for their reluctance to support the GOP healthcare bill–implying he’d challenge Collins and other Republicans to a duel if they were men.

In the conversation Tuesday Collins asked Reed, "Is he the one who challenged me to a duel?"

"You know why he challenged you to a duel? Cause you could beat the s*** out of him first," replied Reed.

Collins went on to joke about Farenthold’s appearance–referring to a photo of the Congressman with a playboy model.

"He’s huge. He’s so unattractive it’s unbelievable. Did you see the picture of him in his pajamas next to this bunny?"

Late Tuesday Senator Reed’s office released a statement, saying: "Senator Reed was just letting Senator Collins know he’s in her corner. He has said it publicly and privately: the Trump Administration is behaving erratically and irresponsibly. For the good of the country, the President needs to start focusing on the budget."