A state rep from Georgia, Vernon Jones, was on MSNBC with anchor Craig Melvin, who began his hostile interview in a hostile way and took it up notch by notch from there.
Melvin introduced Jones and then started out not asking about supporting Trump, but demanding Jones answer for Trump not bringing up Axios’s pet issue while on an unrelated phone call with Putin.
“President Trump, as you know, has made the military central to his campaign, central to his presidency,” said Melvin falsely. “But this is an issue that involves the safety of U.S. Troops. President Trump said there he did not raise it in that phone call with Vladimir Putin, said he hasn’t raised it with him. Also once again casting doubt on the U.S. Intelligence community. Explain why Americans should feel confident giving him another term as commander in chief.”
“First of all, this is a president — this president, President Trump, is about results. He’s been tough on foreign countries, making sure they fair their fair share. At the same time, he’s dealt with unfair trades that wasn’t fair from the beginning and as it relates to the military, my dad is a World War II veteran, four brothers served in the military. He’s strong on defense, giving the military the tools and resources they need to defend themselves and defend the American people. He has stood up to Russia, China and anyone else,” said Jones, making his general case for his support for Trump despite the gotcha framing.
“How has he stood up to Russia specifically?” said Melvin with the one track mind.
Jones summarized the many actions the administration has taken that are not favorable to Russian interests as “penalties” and “positions” and “actions he’s taken” and called them much stronger than Obama’s efforts. Melvin pressed for specifics on Russia in particular, Jones kept making his campaign pitch.
After asking how his support for Trump was “going over” in Vernon’s district considering he is a sitting Democrat, and Vernon used the phrase “fake news” they started really going at it.
Y’all have seen all this before, it’s the every day grist of cable news. BUT THEN…
MELVIN: “I like to traffic in facts, and much of what you just said is patently false. Representative Jones, this is my show, I’ll ask questions, give me a second.”
JONES: “You had me on your show so let me explain. Don’t cut me off when I’m giving you an answer.”
MELVIN: “Are you a paid campaign surrogate? Are you being compensated?” [crosstalk]
The black Trump supporter must be getting PAID???? Real nice, Craig.
Watch how Vernon Jones reacts:
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Melvin’s reaction is incredible. He is offended, he says “I didn’t raise your race” and can’t believe that someone he accused of something would immediately turn it around and call the question itself racist.
You know? Can’t believe even though he didn’t SAY “because you’re black” that the person took it that way or accused him of implying it?
What’s that people say about shoes and other feet?
Anyway here’s more transcript from Grabien:
JONES: “Let me be clear. You get paid to shape a liberal narrative. You get paid to attack this president.”
MELVIN: “It’s a simple question.”
JONES: “I don’t get a dime for this president. I don’t get a dime from the campaign. Everything I’ve done has been me and based on my principles. See, that’s the problem. When an African-American —“
MELVIN: “Sir, I did not raise your race —“
JONES: “Let me finish. Let me finish now. Let me finish.” [crosstalk]
MELVIN: “No, no, wait. Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re not going to imply that I asked that question because you’re black.”
JONES: “So don’t ask me that. You only ask me that because I don’t fit your narrative. I don’t want anything from this president. It’s what I can do for my country and you need to accept that many other African-Americans and others support this president because of his policies. And to insult me to say am I getting paid —“
MELVIN: “I’ve asked this same question —“
JONES: “That is disgraceful and that’s representative of MSNBC and their narrative to keep blacks silent who happen to support this president. Why can’t I be like white liberals or other whites, nobody question if they’re getting paid so do you ask Democrats are they getting paid? Are you getting paid by Joe Biden? Have you ever asked any host —“
MELVIN: “I have.”
JONES: “— whether they have been paid by Joe Biden. I haven’t heard.”
MELVIN: “State representative Vernon Jones, thank you. Do come back, an open invitation.”
Can y’all even imagine if anyone on Fox, black, white or otherwise, DARED to ask this of a BIDEN supporter of color? Do you even remember their freakout when people truthfully pointed out that Democrats were paying people to attend Obamacare rallies and to protest Republicans?
You can get away with ANYTHING if the person supports Trump. Even if the person is black and a Democrat!!