Sen. Martha McSally ripped a CNN reporter after he asked whether recent developments would make her reconsider her position on impeachment.
On Wednesday night, Rudy Giuliani’s Ukrainian associate Lev Parnas claimed that “Trump knew” about all of the shady efforts taking place in Ukraine, including the alleged stalking of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Parnas said, “President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president.”
On Thursday morning, CNN reporter Manu Raju tried to ask the Arizona Republican about the developments and how it could change her impeachment vote. He asked, “Senator McSally, should the Senate consider new evidence as part of the impeachment trial.”
She responded, “Manu, you’re a liberal hack. I’m not talking to you.”
Raju followed up, “You’re not going to comment.” McSally brushed him off and echoed her earlier retort of calling him a “liberal hack.”
Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican facing a difficult election race, lashed out when I asked if she would consider new evidence as part of the Senate trial. “You’re a liberal hack – I’m not talking to you. You’re a liberal hack.” She then walked into a hearing room.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 16, 2020
The senator doubled down on her claim that Raju was a “liberal hack” after the moment went viral, adding, “You are. Here’s the video.”
A) you are.
B) here’s the video. https://t.co/zVgk9pBhdf pic.twitter.com/cfFdotLjFK— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) January 16, 2020
McSally, 53, was appointed to replace the late-Sen. John McCain after losing to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in 2018. She faces a contentious election in Arizona in 2020, where she will face off against astronaut Mark Kelly, the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords. Cook Political Reports ranks her race as a “toss-up.”
UPDATE: CNN’s public relations team responded to McSally’s remark, stating, “It is extremely unbecoming for a U.S. Senator to sink to this level and treat a member of the press this way for simply doing his job.”
New statement from @CNNPR about McSally’s comment to @mkraju:
“It is extremely unbecoming for a U.S. Senator to sink to this level and treat a member of the press this way for simply doing his job.”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 16, 2020
