Former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, found himself in a heated exchange with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday night as they debated the loyalty and criticism of top military officials who served under Trump, including General Mark Milley and General John Kelly.
Maldonado began by defending Trump, claiming that many officials only criticize him after leaving his administration. “A lot of these people, Anderson, when they’re working for him, he’s a good guy… President Trump’s good when they’re working for him,” Maldonado argued, asserting that Trump has not changed since 2016.
Cooper quickly cut in, challenging Maldonado’s statement. “I don’t think they’re saying he was good when they were working for him,” Cooper pointed out. He emphasized that officials like Milley and Kelly have voiced concerns about Trump after witnessing his leadership firsthand.
Maldonado continued to insist that these officials only criticize Trump once they are no longer part of his administration. “What I’m saying is that they’re only after President Trump after they leave or they’ve been fired,” Maldonado argued.
Cooper, becoming visibly frustrated, pushed back hard on this claim. “So you believe highly decorated General Milley, General Kelly, who was the chief of staff, whose son died serving this country, you believe that they are making stuff up?” he asked.
Maldonado hesitated, trying to clarify, “No, not… I’m not saying—” but Cooper interjected again. “Well, you are. You’re saying they’re only saying this after they’ve left.”
As the conversation continued, Maldonado suggested that these officials were loyal to Trump while they worked for him. “While they were in the White House, President Trump was a good president,” Maldonado insisted. But Cooper countered, “Well, they’re not saying that.”
When Maldonado argued that they were “cashing his check” and working for Trump, Cooper corrected him again, noting that General Milley was serving the country, not Trump directly. “Most people in the military are serving the country and have sworn to defend the Constitution, not the president of the United States,” Cooper stated.
As Maldonado tried to defend Trump further, arguing that Trump is a fighter and a leader, Cooper hit a breaking point. Responding to Maldonado’s assertion that Trump’s behavior could be excused because he’s a New Yorker, Cooper snapped, “You’re from California. The kids from the Central Park Five were actually New Yorkers. So the idea that Donald Trump’s a New Yorker and this is what New Yorkers say is just bulls—.”
The tense exchange highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Trump’s leadership and the continued fallout from his administration.