Major Controversies Surrounding Ben Sasse: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Ben Sasse—discover key moments of controversy.

Ben Sasse is an American politician and academic administrator who served as a U.S. Senator for Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. A Republican, Sasse is known for his conservative views and at times his vocal criticism of Donald Trump. Notably, he was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. Sasse resigned from the Senate to become the president of the University of Florida in 2023.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2016: Announced he would not support Trump

In early 2016, Ben Sasse announced that he would not support Donald Trump if he became the Republican nominee for president. Sasse questioned Trump's commitment to the U.S. Constitution and suggested he might leave the Republican Party if it became the party of Donald Trump.

September 2017: Considered leaving the GOP

In September 2017, Ben Sasse stated he thought about leaving the GOP and considered himself an independent conservative who caucuses with the Republicans. He also called Trump a "megalomaniac strongman" and criticized his tariffs and trade war with China.

March 2018: Criticized Trump for congratulating Vladimir Putin

In March 2018, Ben Sasse criticized Donald Trump for congratulating Vladimir Putin on his election victory, stating that it weakened the United States and strengthened a tyrant.

2018: Nebraska Republicans took exception to Sasse's statements about Trump

In 2018, after Sasse suggested a third-party candidate instead of Trump, several Nebraska Republican politicians, including State Senators Bob Krist and Beau McCoy and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, criticized Sasse's statements as immature.

May 2020: Attacked China over the COVID-19 pandemic in graduation speech

In May 2020, Ben Sasse delivered a graduation speech at Fremont High School criticizing China for the COVID-19 pandemic. His remarks were criticized by his Democratic opponent and a school board member. The school board also disavowed responsibility for his comments.

August 2020: Clashed with Trump over executive order

In August 2020, Ben Sasse referred to Donald Trump's executive order authorizing stimulus after Congress failed to agree on a second COVID-19 relief package as "unconstitutional slop," leading Trump to call Sasse a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and saying that Sasse had "gone rogue".

October 2020: Remained critical of Trump

During an October 2020 campaign town hall event, Ben Sasse remained critical of Donald Trump, accusing him of mocking evangelicals, treating the presidency like a business opportunity, flirting with white supremacists, and alienating voters with his "stupid political obsessions" and "rage tweeting."

December 2020: Criticized Trump's pardons

In December 2020, Ben Sasse said that Donald Trump's pardons of people connected to himself were "rotten to the core."

2020: Acknowledged Biden's win

In 2020, Ben Sasse acknowledged Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election and condemned Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. He criticized Senator Josh Hawley's plan to challenge the results, stating that it would "disenfranchise millions of Americans".

January 6, 2021: Certification of Electoral College Vote Count

On January 6, 2021, Ben Sasse participated in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

February 13, 2021: Voted to Convict Trump

On February 13, 2021, Ben Sasse joined six other Republican senators in voting to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.

February 2021: Censured by the Lincoln County Republican Party

In February 2021, Ben Sasse was censured by the Lincoln County Republican Party for his comments about Donald Trump's impeachment. When the Nebraska Republican Party considered censuring Sasse for his lack of support for Trump, Sasse responded, "Politics isn't about the weird worship of one dude."