The White House on Tuesday sharply criticized George Conway, the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District, for releasing a campaign ad in which he promises to impeach President Trump.
“Lightweight George Conway is a stupid person’s idea of a smart person,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told The Hill. “His severe and debilitating disease known as Trump Derangement syndrome has melted his brain and made him crazy in the head.”
Conway, a lawyer seeking to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler, directly addresses Trump in the ad, referencing the $88 million a judge ordered Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll for defamation. “I cost you $88 million fucking dollars, and I’ve only just gotten started,” Conway says, noting that he encouraged Carroll to pursue legal action.
The ad escalates quickly. Conway, standing in front of the Capitol, tells Trump: “The only thing your name is going to be left on when I’m done with you is an orange jumpsuit you’re going to have to wear in prison.” He adds that the building behind him is where they will hold “your third and final impeachment trial,” one that will “put you away for good.” The spot ends with Conway flipping off a presidential motorcade.
Conway, the ex-husband of former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, has made attacking the president a central theme of his campaign. In a recent debate against primary rivals Jack Schlossberg, Alex Bores, and Micah Lasher, he repeatedly argued that Democratic priorities cannot advance while Trump remains in office.
“This criminal, this rapist, this absolute sick man stands in the way of any such progress, and until he is removed, until his cabinet’s removed, we can’t make progress,” Conway said during the debate, which was hosted by P1X11, a Nexstar affiliate. Nexstar also owns The Hill.
The 12th District covers much of Manhattan, including the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Midtown. The race has drawn national attention, in part because of Conway's high-profile divorce and his relentless focus on impeachment. The ad's release comes as Trump himself has demanded impeachment of Sen. Reed over the Iran deal, highlighting how impeachment remains a potent political weapon for both parties.
Conway’s strategy risks alienating moderate voters, but in a deep-blue district, his unapologetic stance may resonate with Democratic primary voters eager for aggressive anti-Trump rhetoric. The White House’s blistering response suggests the ad has already landed a blow, even if it’s unlikely to change Trump’s political fortunes. Meanwhile, Texas House runoffs and other races continue to test the president's influence ahead of the midterms.
Whether Conway can translate his viral ad into a victory remains to be seen, but he has already succeeded in drawing the White House’s fire—and reminding voters of his singular mission.
