During NBC’s special coverage of President Trump’s speech on tensions with Iran on Wednesday, Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd took time to scold the Commander in Chief for allegedly trying to “politicize” the address by calling out the Obama administration’s failed Iran policy.
“I think it is notable at how ham-handedly the President tried to politicize this by blaming the previous administration,” Todd whined. He was aghast that Trump would criticize the Obama administration sending Iran $1.7 billion in cash in order to ensure the now-defunct nuclear deal: “The sitting President of the United States accusing essentially the previous president of helping to finance Iranian weapons is quite remarkable, that he’s willing to push the envelope like that with the office – with this office.”
Todd further lamented: “I mean, I guess at this point we shouldn’t be surprised that he [Trump] does these things anymore. It’s still a remarkable thing that he actually did it.”
Earlier in the exchange, Nightly News anchor Lester Holt attempted to credit Iran for easing tensions: “Chuck, did the President find an off-ramp here? Did the Iranians, in this attack, in some way give him an off-ramp?” Todd was quick to agree: “They did and he took it. But he didn’t want to look like he took it...”
What exactly does Todd think Iran did with all that money handed over by the Obama?
Here is a transcript of the January 8 exchange:
11:47 AM ET
(...)
LESTER HOLT: Let’s go to Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press and our political director. Chuck, did the President find an off-ramp here? Did the Iranians, in this attack, in some way give him an off-ramp?
CHUCK TODD: They did and he took it. But he didn’t want to look like he took it and I think that’s why you heard him, I think, try to use forceful language in announcing the sanctions, use forceful language in not saying they’re not going to retaliate for this. But it’s pretty clear our retaliation, for now, appears to be the sanctions.
I think it is notable at how ham-handedly the President tried to politicize this by blaming the previous administration for financing. I – you know, we’re glossing over that. The sitting President of the United States accusing essentially the previous president of helping to finance Iranian weapons is quite remarkable, that he’s willing to push the envelope like that with the office – with this office. I mean, I guess at this point we shouldn’t be surprised that he does these things anymore. It’s still a remarkable thing that he actually did it.
(...)
