Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy was put on the spot after CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins pointed out that his closing pitch to voters borrowed a campaign slogan from former President Joe Biden.
On CNN’s The Source, Roy tried to explain how Republicans should persuade Americans frustrated by high prices to stick with President Donald Trump’s party ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Roy advised Trump to focus on the cost of living rather than his White House renovations and other personal projects: “ Don’t talk about the helipad, talk about the fact we will get gas prices, diesel prices, home prices, food prices down if we cut spending, if we can increase refining capacity,” he said.
Collins cut in as he was making his argument with a reminder of what Trump promised during his 2024 campaign: “But that’s what President Trump said two years ago.”
The congressman acknowledged that Republicans had more work to do, but insisted the administration had already made progress on spending, taxes, government employment and border security, adding that they have “only” had 21 months.
However, his answer created an unexpected problem when he repeatedly urged voters to let Republicans finish what they had started. “Let’s finish the job,” Roy said in reference to the Iran war and cutting spending.
Collins quickly seized on his choice of words, stating:
“Well, you keep saying finish the job. That was President Biden’s line,” she replied. “It didn’t work.”
The phrase was closely associated with Biden’s unsuccessful reelection campaign. He used the rallying cry, “let’s finish the job,” during his 2023 State of the Union address and made it a central message of his reelection effort before withdrawing from the 2024 race after his debate disaster.
Roy was left temporarily tongue-tied but continued with his argument that Republicans deserved two more years to deliver lower interest rates, reduced inflation, and cheaper fuel.
Trump has repeatedly promised dramatic reductions in energy costs and even as the conflict with Iran has driven up prices, he has bragged that the United States is racking up billions, which has complicated the messaging GOP candidates deliver to angry voters.
According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline stood at approximately $4.23 a gallon Thursday, compared with about $3.04 a year earlier.
Collins also challenged Roy over Trump’s praise for the profits being earned by major oil companies while drivers faced higher prices at the pump. Roy responded that Trump had previously criticized companies for failing to pass some of their gains along to consumers.
The interview turned uncomfortable again when Collins pressed Roy about whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was running an effective Senate campaign.
After the congressman avoided a direct assessment of Paxton’s performance, Collins pointedly observed, “But I asked you if you thought Ken Paxton was running a good campaign.”
“You didn’t say yes,” she noted.
Roy, who lost his own bid for the Republican nomination for Texas attorney general earlier this year, is leaving Congress when his term expires.