Erin Burnett Confronts Republican Elise Stefanik with Past Criticisms of Trump: ‘Here Are a Few Things That You Have Said…’
CNN’s Erin Burnett pressed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) about the lawmaker’s about-face regarding former President Donald Trump.
Stefanik, a fervent Trump supporter whose name has been bandied about as a potential Republican vice presidential nominee, appeared on CNN ahead of Thursday’s debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. It is the first debate this cycle between the two men.
“Obviously, your views have changed and that is a fact, Congresswoman,” Burnett said to her guest. “Here are a few things that you have said in the past that stood out to me.”
The host played a selection of clips of Stefanik’s previous remarks:
I think he has been insulting to women…
I disagree with Mr. Trump’s rhetoric towards women. I disagree with his belief that we should have a religious test for immigrants to this country…
I don’t think that’s who we are. That’s not according to our constitutional principles.
The brief montage ended and Burnett read another critique.
“So, Congresswoman, I’m just trying to give you a chance so that we can all understand better,” she said. “I mean, at one point you said in 2015, ‘There’s no place for what Trump said about Muslims in this country.’ Why has your view on Trump changed?”
Stefanik replied by touting Trump’s “positive success.”
“Well, I’ve seen the positive success, and the reality, Erin is, is I was the only elected Republican woman from the northeast who voted for President Trump,” Stefanik replied. “I was smeared by Democrats for doing so. And I’ve been proud to be one of his top allies. I hosted in my district in my second term in office. He signed the national defense bill. I’m proud to be the first member to endorse his reelection. We saw the success and it’s the most successful president in my lifetime in terms of growing the economy, promoting American manufacturing, rebuilding the nation’s military.”
Stefanik continued to praise Trump and predicted he would rout Biden in the debate.
Watch above via CNN.
