Arizona Republican Party Chairman Jeff DeWitt was at the center of a controversial leaked audio in which he allegedly tried to “bribe” Kali Lake to recant, and the content included “people in power” He even hints at a thinly veiled threat to resign from his position, saying: An ultimatum from Lake's team. He threatens to release more audio of private conversations.
In a statement released Wednesday, DeWitt acknowledged that while the audio was “selectively edited,” it was essentially authentic. Throughout his lengthy statement, he expressed more anger at Mr. Lake (who he said was employed by his private company) for recording private conversations than what was actually said. , claimed that his arguments were “transparent” and “intended to provide perspective.” It's not forced. ”
However, DeWitt clarified via audio recording that the conversation “never happened,” which appears to debunk his claims of transparency.
DeWitt did not go into details in the recordings, including the implied bribe and his suggestion that something very bad might happen to him if he exposed these “powerful people.”
DeWitt said he would fight to defend his position, but said he had been given an ultimatum by Lake's team to resign or face the release of “new, more damaging recordings.” .
“While I am not at all confident in its content, given the many times we have openly discussed it as friends, I have decided not to take the risk,” he said, ultimately resigning. I was able to return to the business sector. I consider the business sector to be a much more logical and preferred field than politics. ” He also added that he still supports former President Donald Trump.
DeWitt also claims in the audio that he believes he was “set up,” although he says he regrets it, and that Lake orchestrated “the whole situation to take control of the state party.” accused of doing so. He could not explain exactly how Mr. Lake set him up and tricked him into passing on questionable offers from “influential people” who did not want Mr. Lake to run for Senate. Ta.
He added: “From the recording, she made up her acting responses knowing that she was being recorded, with the intention of later using this recording to portray herself as a hero in her own story.'' “That is clear from the recording,” he added.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN @JeffDeWitAZ
#AZGOP pic.twitter.com/qxKd2Pqlp6
— Arizona Republican Party (@AZGOP) January 24, 2024
The audio in question includes a private conversation between DeWitt and Lake, in which DeWitt essentially asks Lake what it would take to at least “pause” his political ambitions.
The audio begins with Lake saying, “They're going to try to kill me.” DeWitt responded by citing news that cartels are active in 50 states.
The conversation continues and DeWitt explains that “people in power” don't want Lake to run, but that seems to hurt Lake in the wrong way, and that they don't own or control Lake. He points out that he doesn't like it because he doesn't have it. DeWitt, seemingly playing devil's advocate, spins the story and claims it's not about “control” but “joining the team.”
“They want you to join their team,” he said, to which Lake replied, “They want you to join their team.” So what do they want? what do they want me to do? ”
DeWitt mentioned “very powerful people” somewhere in the “Back East” who are trying to keep you out, and that they are “willing to put their money where their mouth is.” stated, essentially implying bribery.
Lake responded by pointing out that this effort by these “people in power” was actually to bring down President Trump, which is “bad” for the country.
DeWitt said Lake “can't scratch their backs” and continues to tout demands from these nameless, faceless people and that's how the DC swamp works. Essentially, he asked for compensation for canceling her political plans.
“They're going to have to kill me to stop me,” she said. “Either they come and try to work with me-” she continued before being cut off.
“I'm not going to tell people coming back to Washington, D.C., not to run. I'm not going to take two years off. The fight is on. “I'm angry that they're trying to buy me out,” she said of DeWitt telling her “I should be honored.”
“How many of those are there?” DeWitt began, prompting Lake to finish his thought.
“Can you buy it?” she asked.
“Well, that gives you pause,” he said.
“No. No, 10 million dollars, 20 million dollars, 30, no, no, no. A billion — no. This is not about money. This is about our country. I think that's disturbing.” she said.
“I'm not going to let people who hate our country say, 'Don't run.' You should call them and tell them to come behind me. I can win, and they won't run.” I would support them,” Lake continued, calling these “authorities” “un-American” and “unethical.”
“It's just that there are very powerful people who want it. They really want someone different,” DeWitt pressed.
“I think this should be made public,” Lake said, urging DeWitt to show the world the corruption that goes on behind the scenes. Mr. DeWitt immediately said, “No, no, no, no,” implying that he would actually be killed if he did that. “Now turn the key in the car,” he said, making an explosive noise.
“Tell them I'm not flattered. … I'm angry that they don't care more about our country. They don't care about our country.” she said.
According to the audio, DeWitt clarified that the conversation “never happened” before asking Lake for another proposal.
“I can't. You can't buy me out,” she said. “I can not do it.”
listen:
Notably, Lake spoke about the bribery attempt during an appearance on his SiriusXM show in July, without providing details. Breitbart News Independence Day Special.
“Originally, I was going to name the book, I was going to give it a title.” fearlessAnd then some pretty famous person came to my house and offered to give me money to put my campaign and political career on hold. They offered me a nice job, a good salary, and an executive position, and I said, “Hey, I’m here. are you kidding me I quit a comfortable job…I'm not motivated by money,” Lake said.
“And the conversation became, 'So what does it take to make sure you don't run again until at least 2024 or later?'” And I said, “Oh my god, this is like a movie. It belongs to me,” I thought. These people, the political elite, want me out of politics so badly that if they're going to bribe me, then I should stay there. So I decided to give it a subtitle. Just getting started “It's just to give you a little bit of a scare because we're just getting started,” she added.
