If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Rep. Ilhan Omar’s, D-Minn., performance this week defending her evidence-free attacks against Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., should have President Trump blushing.
Indeed, though the congresswoman bills herself as a member of the moral, compassionate alternative to the politics of Trump, her imitation Thursday morning of the Queens businessman’s brand of political smear was pretty spot-on.
Omar was pressed during a CNN interview Thursday to explain what she meant when she claimed earlier this week that Sen. Graham’s support for Trump’s agenda can only mean that the senator has been “compromised” by a vague “they.”
Omar backed up her conspiracy theory with this: “Lots of Americans” think Graham has been compromised. This is positively Trumpian. In fact, this is a note-for-note recitation of what the president does when he wants to broadside his political opponents.
The first step is to wink coyly at evidence-free rumor. Next, when pressed for proof, just say that “a lot of people are saying” the same thing. Rather than defend the vague and sleazy innuendo with actual proof, just cite a vague “they” who just so happen to believe and say the exact same thing. It’s a cute formulation, one that allows conspiracists to go on leveling allegations without putting up evidence. It’s Trump’s go-to, and it’s also apparently Omar’s.
“Over the last three years, we have seen many times where Senator Lindsey Graham has told us how dangerous this president could be if he was given the opportunity to be in the White House,” said Omar. “And all of the sudden, he’s made not only a 180-turnaround but a 360-turnaround,” Omar said, revealing that geometry is not her strong suit.
The congresswoman kept going: “I am pretty sure there is something happening with him, whether it is something that has to do with his funding when it comes to running for office, whether it has something to do with the polling that they might have in his district or whether it has to do with some sort of leadership within the Senate.” Graham is a U.S. senator. He does not represent a district, but rather an entire state.
“He is somehow compromised to no longer stand up for the truth to make sure that he is fighting to protect the oath that he took in serving the American people,” Omar concluded.
To CNN’s credit, its morning hosts pressed the congresswoman on her conspiracy-mongering.
“Based on what evidence? That’s a remarkable comment to make about a sitting U.S. senator,” asked host Jim Sciutto.
“The evidence really is present to us, is being presented to us in the way that he’s behaving,” Omar answered.
“But that’s not evidence,” responded CNN co-host Poppy Harlow. “That’s your opinion, but now as a sitting member of Congress, you would have tweeted ‘they got him on this.’ Again, just based on what evidence, congresswoman?”
Omar explained that her accusation was actually just an opinion, and that she is “pretty sure there are lots of Americans who agree [with] us.”
The only difference between Omar’s and Trump’s brand of smear-mongering is that they play for different teams. Nothing more.
