CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday called on Donald Trump’s surrogate mother to come to the defense of the former president’s increasingly authoritarian rhetoric.
Former California Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado (R) tried to twist Republican candidate Trump’s comments into the way New Yorkers speak.
But Cooper dismissed that explanation as “just bullshit.”
The conversation began when famed Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein asked Maldonado if Trump was a fascist. Maldonado refused. Bernstein asked if Trump was saying “fascistic things.” “I mean, he’s a New Yorker,” Maldonado said. He is a fighter. He is a leader.”
“Fighting New Yorkers usually don’t mention fascism,” Bernstein said. Does he say fascist things every day? Shall I ask?”
Maldonado insisted he didn’t see that in Trump.
“What New Yorkers are saying is just bullshit,” Cooper said.
“I’m from California, and you know, if you look at New York, they’re fighters,” Maldonado said. they are strong They tell it like it is. They will say it out loud.”
Cooper said it was a “comic book” depiction of the city’s people.
Watch the full exchange here:
Maldonado previously claimed that former military officials who served during Trump’s first term only angered him after “one of them was fired” or left Trump, a claim Cooper has repeatedly disputed.
“We’re talking about how I feel and how people are suddenly going after President Trump,” Maldonado told Cooper during their lengthy conversation.
“But what you’re feeling isn’t actually accurate. So you’re actually saying something that’s not accurate.” Cooper answered.
