‘We Are NOT Doing That’: Abby Phillip Shuts Down Election Denier
Viewers of Monday’s CNN NewsNight received a dose of election denialism when one guest claimed the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump.
Host Abby Phillip and the panel discussed recent remarks from Trump and his allies who have suggested he can run for a third term. Barring a constitutional amendment, Trump cannot because the 22nd Amendment states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
While taking questions from reporters on Monday, Trump said that “there’s a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that.” Earlier this month, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon stated, “I think we’ll have a couple of alternatives, let’s say that. We’ll see what the definition of term limit is.”
Phillip said she’s inclined to believe MAGA world when they say they will try to nominate Trump in 2028.
“I’m of the school of thought that when they say it and then they say it over and over again, you cannot just say, ‘Oh well, it doesn’t matter,'” Phillip said.
“We oughta take him at his word,” Democratic strategist Karen Finney replied. “This is a very typical language pattern for Donald Trump. ‘Well, I don’t know, but they’re saying, some they out there, I mean, they’re calling on me. They’re asking on me to do this. So gee, golly, I guess I’m gonna have to find a way to do it.'”
She went on to say Trump has no respect for the Constitution as evidenced by his actions against birthright citizenship and efforts to vastly expand executive power.
“The Constitution is very clear about this,” Finney continued. The remarks prompted Ashley Hayek of America First Works to BS about the 2020 election, which drew a swift rebuke from the host:
HAYEK: He would be elected four times [in 2028], but only serving [a] third since the 2021 [election] was stolen.
PHILLIP: Wait, excuse me. Hold up.
FRANKLIN LEONARD: Seriously? We’re still doing that?
PHILLIP: No.
HAYEK: However–
PHILLIP: Hold on, hold on, Franklin. Give me a second here. We are not doing that, ok? An answer to your question, we’re not doing it. Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. You don’t actually have to say the words out of your mouth, but I’m gonna say them. But continue.
HAYEK: Well, if the election were held today, and this is why the left is so worked up about it is because Donald Trump would win again. If there were an election held today, he had this approval that we just talked about. It was so high he would win again. But I think there’s other options for other Trumps, too. In 2028, it could be a JD Vance, Don Jr. Down the road in 2044, it could be a Barron Trump. I think that the options are limitless here.
Watch above via CNN.
