CNN host Abby Phillip on Tuesday would not tolerate a guest claiming that President Donald Trump potentially 'canceling' the midterm elections was a baseless theory created by Democrats, rather than an idea Trump himself floated.
Phillip Interrupts to Set Record Straight
Phillip interrupted when CNN political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa argued Trump would 'use every tool' to cast doubt on results, and conservative radio host Jason Rantz claimed Democrats were the ones who said Trump would 'cancel the election.'
'Trump raised the issue of canceling the election,' said Phillip. 'Don't put that on Democrats.'
Rantz continued, noting 'Democrats said he wasn't going to allow the election' and have 'said that from the beginning.' Trump himself once tried to overturn an election and has stated 'we shouldn't even have' one in November. He has made similar comments on Truth Social.
Phillip's Clear Rebuttal
'Just to be clear, the only person who has talked about canceling elections is Donald Trump,' said Phillip. 'He has put that in writing. And also, what Xochitl is talking about is not just supposition.'
She continued, 'Trump has repeatedly, already — before this moment — cast doubt on the upcoming election. So it's not just the past, it's also the present. It's the future. It would be disingenuous to suggest that he doesn't have that top of mind.'
Discussion Returns to Pulte Appointment
The discussion returned to Trump appointing home builder heir Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, despite his lack of experience. Rantz had made his case with glaring omissions, failing to explain that Democrats only warned about Trump canceling elections because Trump himself suggested it.
Trump has also repeatedly commented on running for a third, unconstitutional term. He admitted last March, 'I'm not joking.'
Phillip's Final Word
After Republican strategist Brad Todd said he wants the upcoming election held 'in an honest and fair way,' Phillip replied, 'I agree with you. But the president has this on his mind.' She concluded, 'There's no question about that.'
