Former President Donald Trump returned to his signature campaign mode during a CNN town hall on Wednesday, refusing to back down from a challenge.
He faced a series of tough questions from anchor Kaitlan Collins, who repeatedly pushed back on his comments, sparking lively exchanges.
Speaking at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, an early-voting state, Trump stood his ground on all fronts, answering challenging queries. Though Trump was introduced as the 2024 Republican primary frontrunner, he faced questions primarily about his “rigged” 2020 election claims, various controversies, and legal challenges he faces. It was only after the first 25 minutes that the conversation moved towards other hot-button issues, including protecting the Second Amendment, energy policy, and border security.
Trump to Kaitlin Collins: “You’re a nasty person, I tell ya!” pic.twitter.com/CYYjiq8emO
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 11, 2023
Trump said he would secure peace by bringing together Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks, predicting that Democrats would “absolutely cave” in the ongoing debt ceiling fight.
Trump also claimed he’d mold a conservative-majority court that overturned Roe v. Wade last year, but declined to take a stand on signing a federal ban on abortion.
Though Trump avoided discussing GOP primary politics, he took a dig at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, noting that polls show him leading the governor “by a lot”.
The town hall closed with Collins asking Trump if he would accept the results of the 2024 election. Trump responded that he would accept the results, “if it’s an honest election.”
Former President Trump pulls out screenshots of his tweets on January 5th and 6th asking for protestors to remain peaceful. pic.twitter.com/fRxnF6QICZ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 11, 2023
CNN’s decision to host the town hall faced calls for a boycott, with people who criticized the network, including one of its own analysts, former D.C. Metro Police officer Michael Fanone, who wrote an op-ed for Rolling Stone condemning the network for hosting the “guy who tried to get me killed.”
Former President Donald Trump on E. Jean Carroll:
“I swear… and I have never done that. And I swear I have no idea who the hell… she’s a whack job.” pic.twitter.com/lZ94oN7uTT
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 11, 2023
In response to the last question from a New Hampshire voter, former President Trump hit Gov. Ron DeSantis and Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/5epoxyHRGD
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 11, 2023
Nonetheless, CNN defended its decision, explaining that hosting leading presidential candidates for town halls was a critical component of their campaign coverage.
