New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sparred with FOX’s Shannon Bream on Sunday over her support for 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Bream brought up the New York Times (NYT) story. article The article, published on January 4, 2023, pressed Stefanik about her alleged remarks in August 2015 that Trump was “insulting women.” The New York congressman said Bream’s invocation of the NYT article was “shameful,” especially given the use of anonymous sources.
“Shannon, it’s disgraceful that you quote the New York Times using false sources whose names and faces you don’t know,” Stefanik said.
“But since they are quoting your friend, I am giving you an opportunity to respond,” Bream said on behalf of the senator.
“No, no, no, no, Shannon, Shannon, they are not quoting my friend. These names are not included because they are false smears. I was attacked. “-” Stefanik continued, but Bream interrupted again.
“To be fair, there are a lot of names. To be fair, there are a lot of names, people’s names, quoted in the article,” Bream said. “People can read it themselves.”
The NYT article Bream mentioned is locked behind a paywall, meaning it is only accessible to readers with paid subscriptions.
“No, no, Shannon, let me correct you,” Stefanik retorted. “Shannon, let me correct you. This is a false smear, let me tell you, give me the facts, Shannon. In 2016, I was attacked as the only Republican from the Northeast who voted for President Trump. “Democrats spent hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking me for that fact, so it’s just false that I didn’t support him.”
Stefanik stressed that she is “proud” to be one of Trump’s “strongest supporters,” adding that the former president will be up for reelection in the 2024 election. (Related: President Trump announces first rally at Democratic headquarters since 2016)
“Okay, okay,” Bream said while Stefanik was still speaking. “Okay…where are you now? Let me ask you a question. Now, let me ask you a question because you’re being quoted on a radio station saying he’s ‘insulting women.’ . Is that a misquote? Didn’t you say that? ”
“I said the statements that the Democrats leaked in 2016 were insulting. But Shannon, I stood by and supported him. And I strongly support him. And… He has made significant contributions to the promotion of women to senior positions and the economic opportunities for women that we experienced during the four years of his administration. So I am proud to support him. Oh, it’s a shame to take the New York Times article and read only negative quotes when the reality is, I’m a Republican woman from the Northeast who voted for him in 2016 and I strongly support him. I am the only woman who has ever done that, and I am proud that today I will be one of his strongest allies.”
President Trump has not yet named his running mate, and Stefanik is suspected to be a possible running mate. Other candidates on Trump’s short list include Republican North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Florida State Senate. That could include Congressman Marco Rubio and Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. according to Go to NBC News.
