During a recent interview on Fox News Sunday, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) had a heated exchange with host Shannon Bream. The tension arose when Bream asked Stefanik about a New York Times article that highlighted her evolving stance on former President Donald Trump. The article suggested that Stefanik, who had once been critical of Trump, is now a fervent supporter, raising questions about her consistency and motives.
Bream began by addressing Stefanik’s current trip to Israel and then shifted to discussing speculation that Stefanik might be a potential vice-presidential candidate. Bream mentioned the Times article, which quoted Stefanik’s former friends and detailed her past criticisms of Trump. According to the article, Stefanik once referred to Trump as a “whack job” and criticized his impact on the GOP’s appeal to female voters.
Stefanik responded vehemently, calling it a “disgrace” that Bream would reference the article, which she claimed was based on “nameless, faceless false sources.” She emphasized that the quotes attributed to her were false smears. Despite Bream’s assertion that the article included names and specific quotes, Stefanik insisted that she had always supported Trump, particularly highlighting her support during her 2016 reelection campaign.
Stefanik explained, “In 2016, I was attacked as the only elected Republican from the northeast who voted for President Trump. Democrats spent hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking me for that fact, so to say that I didn’t support him is just false.”
Bream attempted to clarify, asking if Stefanik had indeed called Trump “insulting to women.” Stefanik admitted she made a statement about Democrats’ leaks being insulting but reiterated her steadfast support for Trump, emphasizing his promotion of women in senior positions and economic opportunities during his administration.
This is a, this is a false smear. And let me tell you. Let me tell you a fact, Shannon. In 2016, I was attacked as the only elected Republican from the northeast who voted for President Trump. Democrats spent hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking me for that fact, so to say that I didn’t support him is just false. I have been proud to be one of the strongest supporters. Going back to when he ran for 2016, which was when it was my first reelection to the House.
I have strongly supported him. He is going to be the next president of the United States. The American people know that. My constituents know that. And I’m proud to be one of his strongest allies in Congress. I have always put my district first, New York 21 first and America first. And this is an opportunity for us to stop the failures of Joe Biden and elect a president who led to a booming economy, a strong national security. But my record speaks for itself, Shannon.
