NEW YORK, NY, USA - SEPTEMBER 15, 2016: Donald Trump delivers a speech to the Economic Club of New York at the Waldorf Astoria.
Fox News and its equally right-wing sister channel Fox Business are known for being cheerleaders for the Republican Party, including President Donald Trump and members of his administration. But when conservative Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) made a late July appearance on Fox Business, host Larry Kudlow — a former Trump economic adviser — expressed his frustration with Republicans, arguing that they are blowing it ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Kudlow told the senator, "You're bumbling everything. Nothing is getting done. Your messaging is nonexistent. You've lost your swag, you're swagger, your ris — or whatever the young people say. No one knows what the heck you're doing, sir. They have no idea."
The senator grew defensive, arguing that Kudlow should confine his attacks to Democrats instead of questioning Republicans.
Lankford told Kudlow, "This is part of the challenge we've got with all of our media friends who continue to beat up on Republicans and say Republicans are all the problem. But apparently, the socialist Democrats in New York City, they seem to be perfect. Because most conservative media right now is beating up on Republicans and just ignoring the socialists who are running rampant all over the country."
But Kudlow pushed back against Lankford's attempt to change the subject, telling the Oklahoma senator, "Come on, come on! No one has attacked (New York City Mayor Zohran) Mamdani more than I have, for heaven's sake. That isn't the point. What is it that your policy is? Sen. Lankford, my friend, what is your policy? Where are the tax cuts? Where are the spending cuts? Where is the waste, fraud and corruption reduction? Where is all of that?.... Where is the straight talk and messaging for the midterms?.... Come on, senator!"
The former Trump economic adviser went on to accuse GOP lawmakers of being lackluster and unfocused ahead of the midterms.
Kudlow told Lankford, "Call it swag, swagger, rizz, aura, or just plain messaging, but the GOP doesn't have it. And that's the subject of the riff. Now, according to Google, a definition for 'swag' is short for swagger. It describes someone with a cool, confident, and fashionable demeanor. If someone says you have swag, it means your personal style and attitude are on point."
Kudlow continued, "Or you can go to Webster, and their definition of 'swag' is bold or brash self-confidence. Whatever these definitions, the Republican Party right now doesn't have it. No swag. They've lost their mojo. We're not draining the swamp by getting rid of all the fraudulent and corrupt spending left by (former President) Joe Biden's big government socialism. And we're not helping middle-class folks so they won't have to pay taxes on Joe Biden’s inflation. There's no growth from the GOP. There's no swamp draining from the GOP."