Trump’s Fireworks of Lies: His CNN Appearance in 6 Remarkable Quotes

Normally Donald Trump likes to denigrate the television channel CNN as a medium for “fake news”, now the former US president has used it as a platform for his own false claims.

The Republican, who wants to return to the White House in 2024, has not committed to recognizing the results of the next US presidential election on Wednesday evening. Instead, he repeated the lie about fraud in the last election. The 76-year-old had no concrete political ideas ready for his re-election. Instead, he once again acted against migrants, political opponents and the legal system. He also announced that he would pardon rioters convicted of storming the US Capitol if they won the election.

The live broadcast was intended to be a public question and answer session moderated by journalist Kaitlan Collins. Eligible voters who are close to Republicans or who do not identify with them or President Joe Biden’s Democrats were allowed to ask questions at the New Hampshire event. Trump’s appearance on CNN is highly unusual, as he has repeatedly denounced the channel as a mouthpiece for liberal propaganda. Trump usually dispenses his claims without hesitation in extensive campaign speeches. But this time he had to face the public – and Collins.

The moderator? “A Mean Person”

In the so-called town hall, the moderator did his job well and immediately tried to refute Trump’s false statements. The former president was not particularly impressed by this. At one point he let out the exasperated comment that Collins was an “annoying person”. Formerly CNN’s chief White House correspondent, the 31-year-old is known for his persistent questioning of Trump during his tenure as president. The two clashed in public on several occasions. In July 2018, Collins was barred from a press conference by the White House, sparking protests in the media world.

Sorry proud guys? “I Should Have a Look”

During his TV appearance, Trump again downplayed the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when his supporters forcibly entered the seat of parliament in Washington. Congress met there to formally confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the previous presidential election. Five people were killed in the riots. He made it clear to convicted rioters that they should hope for Trump’s election victory next year: “I am inclined to pardon many of them,” Trump said. When asked if he would also pardon members of the far-right Proud Boys, he answered evasively: “I should look into their case.”

Accept the election results? “…”

With a view to the presidential election in 2024, his answers did not bode well. When asked if he was willing to accept the election results, Trump replied, “If I think it’s a fair election, I certainly would.” Collins continued, “Will you commit to accepting the results of the election, whatever the outcome?” Trump’s response: “If I think it’s a fair choice, I’d be honored.” Is history in danger of repeating itself? In any case, Trump has given the impression in recent years that he only considers an election “fair” if he is declared the winner.

Ukraine war? «Ready in 24 hours»

When asked about specific political projects, Trump gave no meaningful answers. He was also vague about questions about the Russian war against Ukraine. For example, he did not want to commit himself to the question of whether the United States would continue to provide money and weapons to the attacked country under his leadership. “I want Europe to give more money because they laugh at us. They think we’re a bunch of idiots,” he said. He again claimed that the war between Russia and Ukraine, which had been going on for more than 14 months, could be ended in 24 hours. The current US administration is giving away so much equipment that there is no ammunition left for its own troops, he grumbled.

Secret documents? “No Longer a Secret”

He also commented on the secret documents he found on him from his time in the White House: Trump claimed they lost their classification as classified when he took them. Like many of his other claims, this one is false.

The conviction? “set up”

The interview was Trump’s first public appearance following his sexual assault conviction in a New York civil trial. On Tuesday he was ordered to pay millions in damages to the writer E. Jean Carroll. A New York jury found it proven that Trump sexually assaulted her in a luxury department store in New York in 1996. The whole thing was “a fabricated story,” the trial was a “setup,” and the judge was “appalling,” Trump said.

(sda/dpa/mlu)