In a heated argument, CNN’s Cuomo calls Trump adviser a ‘foe of the facts’

After Boris Epshteyn claimed that Hillary Clinton frequently relies on her campaign staff to address major issues rather than speak for herself, Cuomo said “Don’t be a foe of the facts. Remember that when we were in law school?”

“I love the facts,” responded the attorney, who had claimed that Clinton doesn’t respond to questions about her email server and relied on her campaign to communicate her health condition during the 9/11 memorial event.

“You’re being a foe of the facts right now,” repeated Cuomo, who said the Democratic candidate has repeatedly answered questions regarding both issues directly.

The Trump campaign, but not the candidate himself, released a statement on the birther issue Thursday, saying Trump believes Obama was born in the U.S. The statement included the claim that Clinton “first raised the issue” years ago.

Arguing that Trump has made a reputation for speaking for himself, Cuomo said going through the campaign staff on a major issue was a “weird” first for the candidate.

“She came out to talk about it, he won’t answer this question. It’s weird at a minimum.”

After Epshteyn accused Cuomo of “editorializing,” the anchor responded Trump has “never not addresed a question directly, himself before.”

“Give me one example,” asked Cuomo. Epshteyn responded, “What does that matter?”

When asked whether he is advising the Republican presidential nominee to dismiss birtherism as “bunk,” senior adviser Epshteyn said “that’s his decision.”

Epshteyn accussed the Left and members of the media like Cuomo for “driving this wedge issue and dividing Americans.”

Responded Cuomo, “I’m dividing America by your candidate refusing to answer an issue that was central to whether or not he thought the president was legitimate?”

“Yes you are,” said Epshteyn, who argued the media simply needs an issue to “drive against us today” after the issue was “put to bed last night.”