Mark Kelly says Trump is focused on 'bulls*** and corruption'
Sen. Mark Kelly told TMZ DC that Trump spends time on “noise,” not work that improves life for everyday Americans.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Sen. Mark Kelly’s Trump comments were blunt on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., where the Arizona Democrat told TMZ DC that President Trump is focused on “bulls*** and corruption” instead of improving Americans’ lives.
TMZ DC reported that Charlie Cotton stopped Kelly in D.C. and asked whether a future Democratic president would have the nerve to undo parts of Trump’s mark on the White House, including Trump’s plans for a ballroom and an arch.
Kelly’s answer, according to TMZ DC, was that the next Democrat who wins the presidency would concentrate on improving the country. He contrasted that with what he described as Trump’s attention to “noise” and matters he said do nothing for everyday Americans.
What did Mark Kelly say about Trump?
Kelly told TMZ DC that Trump does not care about making life better for Americans and said the president spends his time on “bulls*** and corruption.” The senator also said Trump focuses on “noise” rather than issues that help ordinary people.
The exchange centered on Trump’s White House-related plans, as framed by Cotton’s question. TMZ DC referenced plans for a White House ballroom and an arch while asking Kelly whether a Democratic successor would be willing to take apart pieces of Trump’s legacy.
Kelly did not frame his answer around interior design or architecture, according to TMZ DC’s account. He used the question to argue that a Democratic president would set different priorities.
Who is Mark Kelly?
Kelly is a Democratic U.S. senator from Arizona. TMZ DC also identified him as a former astronaut, a biographical detail that made the outlet’s follow-up about a possible presidential run an easy launchpad.
After Kelly criticized Trump, Cotton pressed him about whether he might run for president in 2028, TMZ DC reported. The outlet pointed viewers to its video for Kelly’s response, but its written account did not quote an answer from him on a 2028 bid.
That means the firmest takeaway from the D.C. sidewalk exchange is Kelly’s sharp assessment of Trump’s priorities, not any declared presidential ambition. Kelly’s remarks, as reported by TMZ DC, cast Trump’s White House plans as part of a broader pattern the senator called distraction and corruption.
Trump’s response to Kelly’s comments was not included in TMZ DC’s written report.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.