'We did not cut your mic': Fox News host jabs CNN in chummy chat with Trump campaign
Fox News host Jesse Watters jabbed CNN on Tuesday days after Donald Trump's campaign spokeswoman was booted off the air during an interview as host Kasie Hunt became fed up over the bashing of her colleague Jake Tapper.
During the CNN interview Monday, CNN host Kasie Hunt asked spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt about the campaign's expectations for Thursday's debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
Hunt noted that the campaign appeared to be alternating strategies by praising Biden as a brilliant debater while also describing him as "senile."
Rather than address the question, Leavitt bashed Tapper, who is expected to moderate the debate.
"Well, first of all, it takes someone five minutes to Google Jake Tapper and Donald Trump to see that Jake Tapper has consistently...""
Hunt interjected: "Ma'am, we're going to stop right there if you're going to keep attacking my colleague."
Leavitt continued undeterred: "I am stating facts that your colleagues have stated in the past that — "
"I'm sorry, guys, we're going to come back to the panel," Hunt said. "Karoline, thank you very much for your time, you are welcome to come back at any point... and speak about Donald Trump."
The heated interaction reverberated throughout social media — and got Watters' attention Tuesday.
During his interview with Leavitt, Watters fired multiple shots at the rival network.
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"Does Jake Tapper get a mute button," he asked.
"Well he should! He should have a mute button after the last eight years of spewing anti-Trump lies on CNN," responded Leavitt. "And that's exactly what I tried to say just yesterday on CNN but apparently they don't like to hear the truth about what Jake Tapper feels about President Trump."
She said Tapper is "clearly" an anti-Trump leftist and activist — "not a veteran journalist like CNN is doubling down and saying now."
For this reason, Trump expects a three-on-one dogpile Thursday, she said.
Rather than push back, Watters noted Trump signed up for the deal after "they threw it at him." He then brought up a recent right-wing talking point about whether the candidates will be asked to "pee in cups" to prove they aren't doping ahead of the debate.
Leavitt couldn't help but crack a smile and said Trump has repeatedly challenged Biden to a drug test. She reiterated to Watters the challenge still stands, and said that's how the Biden campaign can prove the president is "not going to be doped up" like many in MAGA circles may have questioned during the annual State of the Union.
"They're getting very upset that we're even suggesting Joe Biden may be artificially stimulated," she said.
Watters retorted that he'll obtain a drug test the night of the debate "so everybody can see that I'm clean."
"Everyone on The Five will take a drug test and we'll reveal the results at 6 o'clock," he said with a laugh.
Later in the interview, Watters asked Leavitt if Trump has done any mock-debate prep — "even a little bit?"
Apparently not.
"No, he is continuing with his regular daily life," she replied, noting that in her mind, one of the most "underreported stories" this week has been Biden's debate prep.
"The leader of the free world, Joe Biden, has to prep for debate for a whole week," she said. "He can't govern and do both! Not one public schedule. It really is quite concerning that that's the leader of our country."
Watters agreed.
"It's never happened in the history of our politics that the president's taken a week off to prepare to do his job," he said.
Watters ended with one final dig at his rival network.
"Karoline, thank you so much, and, um, we did not cut your mic," he said. "You're welcome."
Watch the clip below or at this link.