CNN anchor Jake Tapper threatens to ban Republicans from show and accuses them of ‘lying’ about election

CNN anchor Jake Tapper questioned why he should trust Republicans as sources or have them on his show when some of them continue to push election lies.

Tapper lamented over the state of the Republican party, saying he believes the party will struggle if they continue to oppose basic facts, such as the 2020 election results and coronavirus.

CNN

Tapper discussed the future of the Republican party with his colleagues John Berman (left) and Brianna Keilar (center)[/caption]

“How am I supposed to believe anything they say?” Tapper asked his colleagues. “Why should I put any of them on TV?”

Tapper aired his frustrations with conservative leaders like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who has echoed former President Donald Trump’s claims that the presidential election was fraudulent.

Tapper also criticized Republicans for supporting Qanon conspiracy theories and downplaying the threat of coronavirus.

Reuters

Tapper took issue with McCarthy for his continuous support for Trump’s debunked claims of election fraud[/caption]

EPA

Some Republicans distanced themselves from Trump after the attack on the Capitol in January[/caption]

During the segment, CNN played a montage of Republicans denouncing Trump after the January Capitol riot and then later voicing strong support for him again. The clip included quotes from McCarthy, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, Nikki Haley, and Ted Cruz.

Tapper said that the Republican party is breaking from its traditional policy issues and aligning itself with lies, making it difficult for Democrats and Republicans to debate legislation.

“This country needs a strong, thriving, healthy, fact-based Republican party,” Tapper said. “We can’t have those debates if one side of the argument is not willing to stick to standards and facts.”

He used the example of McCarthy targeting Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) for denying claims that the election was stolen from Trump.

“The lie about the election on its own is anti-democracy, and it is sowing seeds of ignorance in the populous,” Tapper said. “If you’re willing to lie about that, what are you not willing to lie about?”