‘Did You Lie?’ Fox Reporter Confronts McCarthy Over Tape Refuting His Denial That He Wanted Trump to Resign

Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin interviewed Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy on Monday while the California Republican was touring the Southern border. Melugin pressed the congressman on his denial of reporting by the New York Times, a denial which was undermined by audio recordings.

“I want to switch gears a bit, you are looking to be Speaker again if Republicans win. And to that point, you know what’s out there, the New York Times has released audio of you, where days after January 6th you are on a call with House Republican leadership, and you are heard on the audio saying quote, you have had enough with President Trump and you would tell him to his face, it would be your belief he should resign. Do you still stand by those comments?” asked Melugin.

“Look, I never told the president to resign,” shot back McCarthy.

He then quickly changed topics.

“It was a conversation that we had about scenarios going forward. But that’s not really what critical what happened 15 months ago, what’s happening is what is happening on this border right now, our border is not secure. 160 different countries of people are coming across,” he said.

“ We have enough fentanyl to kill every American seven times over and it’s actually doing it. It’s the number one cause of death between the ages of 18 and 45. This is real-life things happening today,” McCarthy continued.

“And regarding that audio, you said the New York Times recording was ‘false and wrong’ and then the tape came out. Did you lie?” Melugin followed up, not ready to change topics yet.

“No, because, what was brought to me was said that I called on the president to say resign. I never called on the president to resign,” responded McCarthy, claiming that he misunderstood what was in the Times story.

CNN’s Manu Raju was not buying that explanation, noting on Twitter:

McCarthy claims he thought NYT was asking if he called Trump to tell him to resign. So he said that’s why he denied it.But he even denied it hours after story was published, tweeting that the story was “totally false and wrong”

In an exchange with @MZanona at a presser at border, McCarthy claims he thought NYT was asking if he called Trump to tell him to resign. So he said that’s why he denied it.But he even denied it hours after story was published, tweeting that the story was “totally false and wrong”

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 25, 2022

McCarthy again changed the subject.

“We have a very good relationship. But what needs to happen here, as we are watching what’s happening in the country, a border that’s not secure, inflation continuing to rise every day, streets that are not safe, parents that are being attacked by the attorney general saying that somehow they are terrorists because they want to go to school board meetings, that all changes when Republicans take the majority,” he continued.

“Does the fact the audio was leaked in the first place means there are some Republicans who have some knives out for you?” Melugin followed up.

“I think it’s the Democrat side as well,” responded McCarthy, listing off some top Democrats that he says will no longer be on the intelligence committee.

Melugin concluded by asking if McCarthy was concerned the tapes could damage his prospects to be elected Speaker again.

“No, what has an impact is what we are doing today, to make sure title 42 does not get lifted,” concluded McCarthy.

Watch the full clip above via Fox News.

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