Gayle King calls out Pelosi for calling Trump supporters ‘henchmen’: ‘Egregious language’

CBS News’s Gayle King called out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday for calling President Trump’s supporters “henchmen,” saying the language is just as “egregious” as rhetoric directed towards her by the president.

King made the remark after she asked Pelosi about whether Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden should debate Trump next week given Pelosi’s previous comments questioning the wisdom of holding the debate.

.@SpeakerPelosi on why she thinks Biden shouldn’t debate Trump: “The president has no fidelity to fact or truth, and actually in his comments the last few days, no fidelity to the Constitution … He and his henchmen are a danger with their comments, are a danger to our democracy” pic.twitter.com/xWso2rYcpR

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 25, 2020

“Tuesday is a big debate,” King said to Pelosi. “Tuesday, the debate between the two of them. You earlier suggested that you didn’t think Biden should debate. Do you still feel that way?”

“The president has no fidelity to fact or truth, and actually in his comments the last few days, no fidelity to the Constitution,” Pelosi said, referring to Trump’s remarks earlier this week about a peaceful transition of power.

“He and his henchmen are a danger with their comments — are a danger to our democracy. Why bother? He isn’t committed to the Constitution,” Pelosi said.

“But Speaker Pelosi, here’s the problem. Your language, to some, is just as egregious as what they’re saying, by calling the president’s people ‘henchmen,'” King shot back. “Some could say that’s just as insulting as what he’s saying about you.”

“Well, I don’t care what he says about me,” Pelosi replied. “Every knock from him is a boost for me. If he wants to help me raise money, he can keep knocking me.”

Trump and Biden are set to debate in Cleveland on Sept. 29. The first showdown between the two with be moderated by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace.