“Fact Check Clash:” Trump Ally Fires Back After Analyst Calls Statement ‘Absolutely False’
Donald Trump Campaigns For President In Wisconsin (Photo Credit: by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A heated exchange unfolded on CNN’s OutFront Thursday evening when Washington Post analyst Philip Bump fact-checked former Trump aide Marc Lotter over false claims about illegal immigration, prompting a tense back-and-forth.
The debate kicked off with Lotter, former strategic communications director for Donald Trump, discussing the appearance of former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Lotter praised the symbolic significance of the moment, calling it a “great sign” of America’s “maturity” that two women could rise to the forefront of national politics.
However, the conversation quickly shifted when Lotter made a bold accusation against Harris, claiming that she had allowed 13,000 convicted murderers who are illegal immigrants into the country. The statement immediately drew a visible reaction from Bump, who shook his head in disbelief.
Lotter defended his statement, saying, “All of these things are very real, and [women] are now living with the consequences of that election,” referring to the Biden administration. He added, “Quite a few of them are going to go back and say, ‘I may not love how [Trump] tweeted, but definitely life was better under Donald Trump.’”
Democratic strategist Aisha Moodie-Mills quickly dismissed the argument, responding, “No woman is buying that argument at all,” as she shook her head. Bump stepped in to deliver a firm rebuttal, stating, “First of all, what Mr. Lotter said about the 13,000 immigrants is absolutely false, and it’s important to point that out.”
Lotter fired back, “It came from ICE, Phil, be a reporter. Be a reporter!” Bump remained steadfast, explaining, “It’s not true, it’s absolutely not true. Those were people who were in the country for decades. Many of them are in custody currently because they’ve been charged with murders. I’ve actually done the reporting on this, so you can trust me, viewers.”
Lotter, in response, mockingly referenced the Washington Post’s slogan, saying, “Democracy dies in darkness, Phil.” “That’s right! That’s why we’re honest with our viewers and with our readers,” Bump replied, standing his ground.
The fact-check didn’t stop there. Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler later examined the origins of Lotter’s claim, deeming it “outrageously false” and a “figment of [Trump’s] imagination.” Kessler clarified that the majority of the individuals in question had been incarcerated for years, many long before Trump’s first term in office. The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between political figures and fact-checkers as the 2024 election approaches.
