MSNBC Fires Back And Stops A Big Trump Lie Dead In Its Tracks

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 06:53 pm

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MSNBC is firing back against Donald Trump’s claim that MSNBC edited his interview with Chris Matthews to take his comment that women should be punished for having abortions out of context.

Video of Trump on Fox News:

Trump said, “You really ought to hear the whole thing. I mean, this is a long convoluted question. This was a long discussion, and they just cut it out. And, frankly, it was extremely — it was really convoluted.”

MSNBC fired back with a statement to TVNewser, “The town hall interview with Donald Trump was taped in advance and then aired in its entirety. Absolutely no part of the exchange between Trump and Chris Matthews was edited out.”

An examination of the transcript reveals that Trump was lying.
Here is the exchange between Matthews and Trump:

TRUMP: And how do you feel about the Catholic Church’s position?

MATTHEWS: Well, I accept the teaching authority of my Church on moral issues.

TRUMP: I know, but do you know their position on abortion?

MATTHEWS: Yes, I do.

TRUMP: And do you concur with the position?

MATTHEWS: I concur with their moral position but legally, I get to the question — here’s my problem with it…

(LAUGHTER)

TRUMP: No, no, but let me ask you, but what do you say about your Church?

MATTHEWS: It’s not funny.

TRUMP: Yes, it’s really not funny.

What do you say about your church? They’re very, very strong.

MATTHEWS: They’re allowed to — but the churches make their moral judgments, but you running for president of the United States will be chief executive of the United States. Do you believe…

TRUMP: No, but…

MATTHEWS: Do you believe in punishment for abortion, yes or no as a principle?

TRUMP: The answer is that there has to be some form of punishment.

MATTHEWS: For the woman?

TRUMP: Yes, there has to be some form.

MATTHEWS: Ten cents? Ten years? What?

TRUMP: Let me just tell you — I don’t know. That I don’t know. That I don’t know.

MATTHEWS: Why not?

TRUMP: I don’t know.

MATTHEWS: You take positions on everything else.

TRUMP: Because I don’t want to — I frankly, I do take positions on everything else. It’s a very complicated position.

The transcript reveals an entire conversation. There are no edits. Matthews and Trump go back and forth as the MSNBC host pressed the Republican presidential candidate on his views about abortion.

When Donald Trump puts his foot in his mouth, his first response is always to blame someone else. MSNBC did not edit the video. The only reason that the discussion was convoluted was because Trump tried to get Matthews off of the abortion topic by changing the subject to the Catholic Church. Chris Matthews was very focused during the town hall and pushed Trump in ways that few other television interviewers have during the 2016 campaign.

The media has been showing signs of turning on Trump, as the coverage of his campaign has taken on a more negative tone.

It looks like the media free ride may be ending for Trump. If MSNBC’s statement is any indication, the press has had enough of the bullying of Donald Trump.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association