Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz got into a heated argument with CNN host Caitlin Collins over the “stupid question” of whether or not to accept the 2024 election results.
Collins, who previously worked for the Daily Caller, asked Cruz whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election under any circumstances, given his opposition to the certification of the 2020 electoral votes.
“You were the first senator to object to the vote,” she noted. “Are you going to certify the election results in 2024? Are you going to contest them or are you going to accept the results no matter who wins the election?”
“So, Kaitlan, I have to say, I actually think that’s a stupid question,” Cruz responded.
“That’s a yes or no question,” the host said.
“No, it’s not,” the senator said. “Let me explain why that’s a stupid question. It’s not a question — have you ever asked a Democrat that?”
“Absolutely,” Collins said.
“What is a Democrat?” Mr. Cruz asked.
“I know, I know, I’ve been down this road a lot,” Collins said. “You can’t compare the two situations. We’ve talked about it. We’ve seen the audio. [sic] As they protested on the Senate floor, has there ever been a sitting president who refused to facilitate a peaceful transition of power? ” (Related article: Sen. Ted Cruz on election audit: ‘Denying claims of election fraud is true violence against our democratic system’)
Collins insisted that no Democrat, and no sitting president, has refused to certify the election results. Cruz said the transition of power was peaceful, noting that Democrats opposed the certification of George W. Bush’s election victory on the Senate floor.
He also compared former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the results to that of Hillary Clinton, who called Trump an “illegitimate president.” Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams also rejected the election results when she lost to Republican opponent Brian Kemp.
“The media has engaged in this bizarre game after President Trump where you claim there was no voter fraud. Why does every state have laws in place to combat voter fraud if it occurs?” Cruz said.
“The media doesn’t think so. This is not a game,” Collins said.
“It’s a game. I only ask that of Republicans, you –” Mr. Cruz said.
“Because it was the Republicans who tried to block the transition,” Collins said. “You have to admit that. I’ve never seen it on the scale of what happened in 2020, and I’ve never seen a president refuse. So I ask you again – free and fair elections – do you accept the results no matter who wins?”
“If the Democrats win, I’m willing to accept the outcome. But no matter what happens, I won’t ignore the fraud,” Cruz said.
The senator then discussed allegations of “serious voter fraud” in 2020 with Collins, who was adamant that it occurred. He demanded that the CNN host present evidence to prove there was no fraud, and Cruz said a Congressional committee was appointed to determine whether there was any possible voter fraud during the 1876 election. He pointed out that.
“Let me ask you a question: What did Congress do in 1876?” Cruz pressed.
“There’s no yes or no answer to this question,” Collins said.
“Can you answer my question?” Mr. Cruz asked. “Why aren’t you answering my questions?”
“The Republican Party is a mess,” Collins said.
“I’m not twisting myself around,” he said. “I’m answering your question. You just don’t like my answer.”
The senator accused the media of ignoring the possibility of voter fraud and branding it a conspiracy.
