Harry Reid says Trump is the worst president in American history

Harry Reid
(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images)

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid isn't holding back.

Reid, who retired from the Senate in 2017 after three decades, told The New York Times in an interview published Wednesday that he thinks President Trump is "without question the worst president we've ever had," adding that while the U.S. has "had some bad ones," there is "not even a close second to him." Reid called Trump "amoral," claimed he has "no conscience," and called him someone who you "can't reason with" who will "lie" and "cheat."

The former senator from Nevada additionally expressed bewilderment that former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who he worked with in the Senate, put up with Trump for so long. "Why in the hell didn't Sessions leave?” Reid asked. “Same with [former White House Chief of Staff John] Kelly. I'd say, 'Go screw yourself.' I could not look my children in the eye."

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Reid was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. "As soon as you discover you have something on your pancreas, you're dead," Reid said of the diagnosis. Despite his deteriorating health, there seems to be a part of Reid that wishes he was still fighting in Washington. Reid's former chief of staff noted, "I think he misses it, definitely." Read more at The New York Times.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.