Washington Free Beacon editor-in-chief Matthew Continetti appeared Saturday on Fox News to analyze the 2016 Republican presidential primary and why Donald Trump continues to lead by a wide margin in the polls.
Continetti described Republican voters as being in a "pitchfork mode" and ready to make big changes to what they view as a "corrupt" party establishment in Washington, D.C., saying this factor has helped Trump as well as Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who is second in most polls.
Fox News host Elizabeth Prann asked Continetti about Trump's recent statements on the need for the U.S. to take a less confrontational posture toward Russia and work with Moscow to "be used for the good."
"He sounds like he's an Obama administration spokesman," Continetti said in response, explaining how Trump and the president use similar rhetoric to describe America's relationship with Russia.
Russian president Vladimir Putin recently complimented Trump for being a strong leader, and the Republican frontrunner has subsequently embraced the Kremlin's endorsement. He raised eyebrows after Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough asked whether he minded Putin's reported violence against journalists who disagreed with him, and Trump responded "at least he's a leader."
Continetti predicted at the end of the segment that the other GOP candidates will soon start attacking Trump as the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary draw closer.
"He's going to have to respond to some pretty harsh criticism," Continetti added, saying Trump's competition will likely go on the offensive.