Former President Trump was fully prepared to address questions about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot during a town hall event with CNN on Wednesday.
“When they went to the Capitol and they were breaking into the Capitol, smashing windows, injuring police officers, why did it take you three hours to tell them to go home?” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked.
The 45th president then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out printed records of his tweets from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
“I don’t believe it did. Oh, let me pull it out. I have to pull it out,” he said. “On Jan. 5, the day before, I said, ‘Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!'”
He then read a tweet from 2:38 p.m. on Jan. 6, which was 18 minutes after the Capitol Building went into lockdown, according to a timeline from NPR, which shows an “initial wave of protesters storms the outer police barrier around the Capitol” at around 1 p.m.
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Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Shortly after, he sent another tweet urging people to “remain peaceful.”
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Watch the exchange below:
Former President Trump pulls out screenshots of his tweets on January 5th and 6th asking for protestors to remain peaceful. pic.twitter.com/fRxnF6QICZ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 11, 2023
Donald Trump BROUGHT THE RECEIPTS!!!
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) May 11, 2023
CNN is freaking out because Trump is WIPING THE FLOOR with them!! pic.twitter.com/HUV7Bo14uo
JUST IN: Donald Trump pulls out screenshots of his tweets from January 6th and fact checks CNNs Kaitlan Collins in real time.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 11, 2023
🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/4TTp6vGXWD