Trump campaign manager confronts CNN anchor in testy exchange
Donald Trump’s campaign manager defended her boss’s transparency in a CNN interview Tuesday morning, facing off with a news anchor in a testy exchange.
Kellyanne Conway repeatedly turned around questions about transparency regarding the Republican presidential nominee, instead questioning why the media was not pushing for such details from Democrat Hillary Clinton.
{mosads}”This is all Mr. Trump has released about his health: four paragraphs, as you know, from his gastroenterologist who says that Mr. Trump, his health, is ‘astonishingly excellent,'” CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota said on “New Day.”
“It also says that all of his latest medical examinations and tests were only positive results, which of course is funny because that means something is wrong. So how can this be considered transparent?” Camerota asked.
“Wow, you can laugh all you want at the medical report,” Conway fired back, referring to the medical report Trump’s doctor said he spent five minutes writing. “But as far as I can see, there are two major party candidates running for president and only one of them has pneumonia and lied about it.”
“Alisyn, this is what I expect from the Clinton campaign,” Conway continued. “I really don’t expect it from journalists.”
Pressed on what Trump would be releasing Thursday about his own health, Conway said: “He won’t be releasing the fact that he had pneumonia for two days and lied about it.”
“Lied or didn’t disclose? Is there a difference?” Camerota asked.
Conway said Trump’s campaign offered well-wishes for Clinton as she recovers from her pneumonia diagnosis and insisted Trump has maintained “the most punishing schedule” of campaigning.
“Let’s talk about stamina and energy,” Conway said. Pressed on her comment, Conway clarified, “I’m just talking about his,” noting Clinton has made many fundraising trips.
Conway was also pressed on whether Trump would release his tax returns, saying he would after his lawyers say it is okay to do so after an audit ends.
Asked whether Trump would release evidence that he is under audit, Conway shot back, “I don’t know, why? … Are you calling him a liar?”
“We’re running against a Clinton, and we’re going to challenge someone’s veracity?” Conway asked.
Asked if Conway would produce evidence that Trump has donated “tens of millions” of dollars to charity, as Trump’s running mate Mike Pence has claimed, Conway demurred.
“I doubt it,” she said. “I don’t see it as journalism, I see it as badgering.”
Camerota wrapped up the interview remarking, “Yes, we are talking about transparency a lot this morning and demanding it from both candidates.”
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