Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) spoke to MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace on Tuesday about a conversation she had with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), but on Wednesday, it was revealed that part of the chat was captured on video. Now, observers are wondering why Johnson isn't coming to the defense of the president.
Speaking about the shutdown on Thursday, the co-hosts of "The View" ran a video clip of Dean telling Johnson that President Donald Trump appears "unwell" after observing his speech to top military leaders on Tuesday.
"What's interesting is that he doesn't deny it," said Joy Behar about the video of the conversation. "If you listen to the tape, all he says is, 'I don't control him.' Interesting."
Alyssa Farah Griffin, former White House communications director for Trump, wondered if Johnson knew he was being taped.
"I don't know. They got it," said Behar.
"And, you know, it's been reported that they work together. They were on the Judiciary Committee together and know each other quite well," said Sunny Hostin.
"I thought it was striking that he didn't respond, 'He's well. He's fine. He's capable,'" Hostin said about Johnson's lack of reassurance to Dean. "He didn't say that. He just said, you know, I can't speak for him. I don't control him."
Hostin noted that the real debate over the shutdown is about ending Obamacare subsidies. Farah Griffin called the shutdown absurd because she thinks Democrats handed over the only power that they have in Congress. She assured that the subsidies will come back because they benefit Trump's own voters, and even far-right firebrand Steve Bannon is demanding they be restored.
