Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) refused to answer CNN anchor Kasie Hunt when she pointed out President Donald Trump’s policies that seem socialist.
On Thursday, Lawler appeared on CNN ahead of the second night of the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, and Hunt pressed him during an interview on whether Trump’s policies contradict attacks by Republicans against socialism. Lawler is notably facing a midterm race himself and is running with Trump’s endorsement.
“Congressman, the Republican-controlled House passed a resolution last week condemning socialism in all its forms,” Hunt told Lawler. “I just want to put up a list of some of the things that President Donald Trump has pursued at the federal level.”
She then talked about how Trump had “the government take ownership stakes in 30 private companies,” including Intel, Nvidia, and Nippon Steel. “He tried to create a federal sovereign fund. He considered bailing out and nationalizing Spirit Airlines,” Hunt added.
“They proposed that the government pay parents $9,000 per child per year to stay home. He’s offered Trump accounts seeded with $1,000, and now there’s this $5,000 check,” Hunt finished, referring to Trump’s promise on Wednesday that he’ll pay $5,000 to every American adult if the GOP wins the House and Senate in the midterms.
“How is that series of policies not at all socialist?” Hunt asked. However, Lawler immediately began dodging the question and defaulted to repeating the attack on Democrats that’s been echoed by the GOP ahead of the midterms.
“First of all, what the Democrats are advocating for is a government takeover of everything,” Lawler said. “They want a government takeover of healthcare. They want a government takeover of -“
Before Lawler could continue, Hunt threw up her hands and stopped him.
“That’s not what I asked you about, sir!” Hunt said. “I asked you to comment on the things the government has done, not what the Democrats have done.”
“Well, that’s great, Kasie,” Lawler responded, not exactly denying that he was avoiding the question. “I’m explaining to you the difference between the two parties here.”
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