Fmr Obama Spokesman Spars With Fox News’ John Roberts for Asking Trump ‘Stupid, Clickbait’ NFL Question
Former National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor is fighting with John Roberts tonight after the Fox News White House correspondent asked President Trump a question about Hillary Clinton today.
During the president’s joint press conference with Mitch McConnell, Roberts brought up a recent interview where Clinton defended NFL anthem kneelers and their right to express their beliefs. Trump responded by reiterating his hope that Clinton runs for president again, and he also said it was that sort of “thinking” which cost Clinton the presidency.
It was not the only question Roberts asked, but Vietor took notice of the Clinton one, and he had a few objections about this question coming up instead of more pressing political topics:
Asking Trump to comment on what Hillary said about the NFL is a stupid, clickbait question and a wasted opportunity to push him on real issues. Do better.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
Roberts defended his line of questioning, though things quickly spiraled into a Twitter brawl about Fox News’ “culture war bullsh*t” and Clinton’s continued relevance on the national stage:
I had already asked 2 policy questions. I assume asking @HillaryClinton to comment on Trump/NFL was similarly stupidly clickbait-ish?
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
I must have missed the part where Hillary Clinton was President and not just the permanent Fox News boogieman.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
Lame. Try again
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
Right back at you. Fox has given Trump enough free PR. Would be great to see you guys actually cover the fact that he's sabotaging the health care exchanges and allowing Puerto Rico to suffer.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
2/2 used to interview Sen BO… But – @HillaryClinton has not yet left the stage-therefore what she says remains relevant to the discourse
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
That's wrong. There are real, big important problems in the world. Some involve nuclear weapons! Asking about HRC's thoughts on the NFL is boring Fox News culture war bullshit.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
And what epithet would you use to describe HRC weighing in on it?Don't engage in disingenuous claptrap. You know we cover all the big issues
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
Hillary can weigh in on whatever she wants. Doesn't mean it's worth asking Trump at a rare news conference. Fox News is an alternate reality where Tucker and Hannity function as an extension of the press office. It's a joke.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
We'll have to agree to disagree. As long as HRC operates as a "shadow President", what she says carries relevance and weight.
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
I would think someone as learned as you would have a grasp of British politics and the concept of a ‘shadow’ leader and cabinet
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
I think I have a better grasp on the scare tactics Fox News uses to keep the focus on the Clintons and not on Trump's disastrous leadership.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
Perhaps you should broaden your horizons
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017
Will do. Perhaps you can encourage your network to stop acting as Trump's Pravda.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
CNN’s Brian Stelter said Roberts had a point about Clinton’s “shadow” presidency, though Vietor is still arguing that the inquiry was a “stupid, wasted question” in the grand scheme of things.
Of course people wish they were in office. But asking Trump about Hillary's NFL comment is a stupid, wasted question. That's more important than Iran or DPRK nukes? ACA sabotage? But Fox likes to attack so here we are.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2017
[Image via screengrab]
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