Rand Paul plans to slam Trump as a 'fake conservative' in tonight's GOP debate

Rand Paul says he isn't going to let Donald Trump get off so easy the second time around. The Kentucky senator tells Politico that he thinks he treaded a little too lightly around Trump in the first GOP debate, so during tonight's debate he's planning to step up his game and confront The Donald as a "fake conservative."
"I think I'll probably try to be a little more aggressive with him," Paul told Politico, adding that Trump is "sophomoric in his diatribe" and that "his rhetoric seems to be stuck in junior high."
With Trump soaring in the polls — he's ahead of Paul by 24 points in the latest CBS News/New York Times poll — Paul says he plans to use the debate to "try to grab the attention of the American electorate."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Numbers don't change from being passive," Paul said. "You either go out and... try to grab the attention of the American electorate or you don't."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months