Donald Trump sat down with Tucker Carlson for an interview which dropped on Twitter minutes before the first Republican debate, which the former president ditched. He explained that decision with some soundbites that were classic Trump. From Jeffrey Epstein to whether Democrats want to murder him, the 45-minute interview wasn't anything new.
The former president did say that there are many fine Democrats, but there is a “savage animal” sect who are sick people who hate our country. Those sickos he mentioned aren’t difficult to identify. It’s those who weaponized the media, the intelligence community, and the Justice Department to push a variety of hoaxes and conspiracy theories to destroy his administration (via CBS News):
TUCKER: "Why aren't you at the Fox News debate tonight...?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 24, 2023
TRUMP: "Do I sit there for an hour or 2 hours, whatever it's going to be, and I get harassed by people that shouldn't even be running for president? Should I be doing that?" pic.twitter.com/XKbdQNYbOx
TUCKER: "Are you worried that they're going to try and kill you?!"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 24, 2023
TRUMP: "They're savage animals. They are people that are sick, really sick." pic.twitter.com/rR20JNWOjt
TUCKER: "Do you think Epstein killed himself?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 24, 2023
TRUMP: "I don't know...It's possible!" pic.twitter.com/qZEmtpBL53
TRUMP on CHRIS CHRISTIE:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 24, 2023
"He's like a savage maniac! He's like a lunatic!" pic.twitter.com/wvt0IqZysd
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The pre-taped interview was made available on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, five minutes before Wednesday night's debate began. Trump, who made little news Carlson in the roughly 45-minute interview, explained why he didn't show up to the debate.
"You see the polls have come out, I'm leading by 50 and 60 points," Trump said. "And some of them are at one and zero and two. And I'm saying, 'Do I sit there for an hour or two hours, whatever it's going to be and get harassed by people that shouldn't even be running for president? Should I be doing that? And a network that isn't particularly friendly, frankly.'"
[…]
Trump's appearance with Carlson aired a day before the former president is expected to turn himself in at a Fulton County, Georgia, jail after he was indicted on charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
For weeks, Trump had said he would not attend the debate and dangled the possibility of an alternate appearance before confirming his plans over the weekend.
We discussed on the Triggered podcast that this interview, while hyped to the heights of K2, fell a bit short regarding substance. There was nothing about Dr. Fauci, COVID, or the vaccine. There was nothing about how he would clean up the Department of Justice, something he should have done after the 2016 election.
Also, Trump is not a traditional candidate; he could’ve debated last night. Why take the risk when you’re up that much in the polls? Given the margins, the Trump camp has every right to feel this contest is over, but it might have clipped most of the JV crop on stage last night. Is anyone concerned that Christie’s zingers would have ended Trump’s campaign? I think the former president would have wiped out everyone or at least held his own and then some, reinforcing the narrative that this primary is about who will be Trump’s running mate.
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