A viral clip of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) telling a gaggle of reporters that she thinks that E. Jean Carroll lied about Donald Trump sexually assaulting her has unleashed a wave of outrage at the GOP lawmaker that has some critics wondering if the New York writer can sue Stefanik for defamation.
Under pressure on Friday night from NBC's Vaughan Hilyard who asked her, "Do you believe E. Jean Carroll?" Stefanik scarcely paused before replying, "No, of course not," before launching into a diatribe about the media.
As Hilyard tried to follow up that a jury unanimously found her to be truthful and punished Trump with a $10 million judgment in the civil trial, an aide to the New York lawmaker ran interference by exclaiming, "Next question, next question," followed by Stefanik ducking the question with, "Again, again. The media is so out of touch with the American people. Like in 2016, you are going to see the American people speak out loudly and clearly with their vote."
After the clip was shared on X, Stefanik was called on the carpet by conservative attorney George Conway who called her "Vile."
He was not the only one with a lower-than-low opinion of Stefanik who is believed to be auditioning to be Donald Trump's running mate if he lands the 2024 Republican party presidential nomination.
Commentator Jemele Hill wrote, "I want to love anything as much as Elise Stefanik loves looking like a moron when it comes to Donald Trump."
Former MSNBC anchor Medhi Hassan added, "I think he should pick the ludicrous Stefanik as his running mate and then we can watch her giving ludicrous answers to questions like this for the rest of the year."
"Elise Stefanik accuses Trump’s rape victim Carroll of lying Nikki Haley says she’s 'doesn’t pay attention' to the rapes Tuberville said the rape 'makes me wanna vote for him TWICE' Rubio said it’s a joke THIS is how the Party of Christianity treats a rape victim? JESUS WEEPS" wrote political strategist Lindy Li taking a broader approach.
Anne Marie Flynn suggested, "Trump has already been found guilty of sexual assault (rape in the judge’s words). This trial is for damages for defamation by Trump upon Carroll’s reputation, which Stefanik is also committing."
MSNBC's Lisa Rubin contributed, "The GOP’s highest-ranking woman, Elise Stefanik, apparently believes an event unanimously corroborated by 9 anonymous jurors last May isn’t real. Kudos to @VaughnHillyard for pressing her on it."
Attorney Jeffrey Jacobovitz added, "These statements are being made in public with another jury currently sitting on an E Jean Carroll lawsuit. Is Stefanik trying to influence the pending jury?"