President Donald Trump responded to Charlamagne tha God on Sunday, Aug. 3, calling him a "sleezebag" after the radio host suggested traditional Republicans will use rivaled interest in the Jeffrey Epstein files to take over the GOP again.
Charlamagne tha God, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, is co-host of the popular radio show "The Breakfast Club," which draws more than 4 million weekly listeners.
The response from Trump came just days after McKelvey floated Jon Stewart as possible 2028 presidential candidate after former Vice President Kamala Harris said she won’t run for California governor, leaving the door open for a potential 2028 run.
"I think that traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back," McKelvey said during an interview with the president's daughter-in-law on her Fox News show, "My View with Lara Trump." "I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do."
"I think they know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up," he said, referencing the disgraced financier who died by suicide in August 2019. "The MAGA base isn't letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take the party back and not piss off the MAGA base."
After the interview, in a Truth Social post, Trump praised his daughter-in-law, called her "amazing and talented," and called the show "a big ratings success."
The president then called McKelvey a "sleezebag" and discounted his intellegence.
"He's a Low IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done," Trump wrote. "Just ending 5 Wars, including a 31 year bloodbath between Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, where Seven Million people have died, and there was no end in sight."
Trump went on to claim in the post that McKelvey did not know about a myriad of other topics, including India and Pakistan, Iran, the border or the economy.
USA TODAY has reached out to McKelvey.
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What is Charlamagne tha God's first name?
Born in Charleston South Carolina, Charlamagne tha God's real name is Lenard Larry McKelvey.
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Who is Charlamagne tha God?
Charlamange tha God, 47, is an American TV radio host and presenter.
He is a co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Breakfast Club," which discusses a variety of topics including pop culture, celebrity gossip and politics. The podcast had been downloaded more than 1 billion times as of early June, iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network have reported.
McKelvey is also co-host of the podcast "Brilliant Idiots" and has authored two books: "Black Privilege"and "Shook One."
According to his website, McKelvey is slated to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in October.
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Who is Lara Trump?
Lara Trump, 42, is married to the president's second son, Eric Trump.
The Fox News host is also co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
The president's daughter-in-law had been Trump's first choice for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, where she was born. But late last month she opted out and endorsed Republican National Committee chair and former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley.
Trump also endorsed Whatley for the slot in a late July social media post.
What did Trump say about Charlamange tha God?
In his Truth Media post, the president questioned why McKelvey is "allowed to use the word 'GOD'" when describing himself.
"Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?" Trump wrote in the post.
The White House has previously shared a photo of the president dressed as a the pope on its official social media pages, sparking both outlash and glee.
The photo was posted just days after Pope Francis died on Easter this year at age 88.
Contributing: Phillip Bailey and Sudiksha Kochi
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump dismisses Charlamagne tha God after Lara Trump interview
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