That’s the question CNN’s Jake Tapper asked viewers during an appearance on “New Day,” noting that he hasn’t booked any Republicans on his “State of the Union” show since January, the month when a group of former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the United States Capitol and congressional Republicans entrenched themselves further in baseless conspiracies about the 2020 general election.
“The lie about the election on its own is anti-democracy, and it is sowing seeds of ignorance in the populous, and obviously has the potential to incite violence,” said Tapper. “But beyond that is, if you’re willing to lie about that, what are you not willing to lie about?”
Tapper said the United States would benefit from “a strong, thriving, healthy, fact-based Republican Party.” But he did not mince words on why he believes one does not currently exist.
“We need those debates happening. But we can’t have those debates if one side of the argument is not willing to stick to standards and facts,” he said. “How am I supposed to believe anything they say? If they’re willing to lie about Joe Biden wanting to steal your hamburgers and QAnon and the big lie about the election, what are they not willing to lie about? Why should I put any of them on TV?”
Trump’s falsehoods about the election have center stage once again as House Republicans weigh ousting Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from her position as the third most powerful Republican representative. Cheney has refused to condone Trump’s rhetoric, asserting this week that those who believe the election was stolen despite the lack of any credible evidence believe Trump’s “big lie.”
You can watch Tapper’s interview below.