Maggie Haberman, a New York Times political reporter who has covered Trump extensively since his conviction in the Manhattan hush-money case, said she believes retaliation against political opponents is a “very important focus” for him.
CNN’s Phil Mattingly asked Huberman on Friday about Trump’s state of mind following his 2016 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments he made to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her about an alleged affair, which Trump denies.
Haberman suggested Trump was likely serious about the “revenge tour” that many of his allies are promoting.
“It’s a big deal for him right now,” she told Mattingly.
Haberman cited two interviews in which Trump “explicitly” spoke about his desire for revenge: a recent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity and Thursday’s interview with Dr. Phil McGraw.
“He wants retribution,” she said. “He’s not happy.”
Trump made comments during an interview with the host of the television show “Dr. Phil” that suggested he would seek retaliation.
“Well, revenge certainly takes time,” he said, “and sometimes revenge is justified, Phil, I must be honest with you; sometimes it is justified.”
Since his conviction, Trump has publicly protested his Manhattan hush money trial and the judge presiding over the case, alleging election interference and seeking to hold the Biden administration accountable.
Trump has suggested he would be justified in targeting his political opponents if he wins the presidential election in November, a threat that has some Democrats in Congress worried about another flare-up in violence after the election, reminiscent of what happened after the 2020 results were announced.
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