MAGA-aligned U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) publicly mocked U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) in response to a social media post reporting Bacon might be considering a presidential run in 2028.
Politics & Poll Tracker shared a report from The Hill: “The Hill: Don Bacon (R-NE) says he’s mulling 2028 White House bid Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said he is considering a run for president in 2028 as he prepares to leave Congress next year. Bacon, who has previously floated a bid for the White House, said in an interview to be released in full Saturday that he would ‘love’ to run.”
Banks replied, “LOL.”
Bacon, who often criticizes President Trump’s policies regarding Ukraine, responded to Banks, “MANY have worked with Jim Banks over the last 10 years. He has an IQ and EQ of a BAKED potato. His moral compass is skewed to his political calculus at all times. His finger is always in the air… no moral compass. His finger always leans pro Russian.”
MANY have worked with Jim Banks over the last 10 years. He has an IQ and EQ of a BAKED potato. His moral compass is skewed to his political calculus at all times. His finger is always in the air… no moral compass. His finger always leans pro Russian: https://t.co/jYuDctht3b
— Rep. Don Bacon
(@RepDonBacon) September 17, 2026
[NOTE: In 2023, Banks was one of 70 Republicans who voted for an amendment to strip all current and future military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.]
Banks wasn’t the only Republican to react negatively to Bacon’s presidential aspirations. Former Florida GOP chair and two-time Trump delegate (who, according to his X profile, wants Trump to run in 2028), Christian Ziegler, also responded: “lol. Outside of those suffering from TDS, I can’t think of 1 reason anyone would vote Bacon over Vance.”
[NOTE: TDS, as Ziegler uses it, stands for Trump Derangement Syndrome, a term some Republicans use to characterize negative reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump as irrational or excessive.]
lol. Outside of those suffering from TDS, I can’t think of 1 reason anyone would vote Bacon over Vance.
— Christian Ziegler
(@ChrisMZiegler) September 12, 2026
Nebraska Democratic Party chair and President of the Association of State Democratic Committees Jane Fleming Kleeb also questioned Bacon’s chances: “Bacon could not win a primary for NE2 so he did not run again this year. It’s hilarious he thinks he can win a Presidential primary with the MAGA base still in full swing.”
Bacon could not win a primary for NE2 so he did not run again this year. It’s hilarious he thinks he can win a Presidential primary with the MAGA base still in full swing.
— Jane Fleming Kleeb
We The People (@janekleeb) September 12, 2026
[NOTE: Bacon endorsed the GOP nominee to replace him, Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding, who was also endorsed by MAGA-aligned House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Two possible Democratic 2028 presidential candidates — Biden’s ex-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Obama’s former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel — have campaigned with the Democratic nominee, Denise Powell, who after the 2016 presidential election, co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska, an organization that encourages and supports female Nebraskans running for local office.]