CBS ran a news special on Sunday night after President Biden’s remarks in the Oval Office. CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell interviewed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and dragged him right back to January 6 to discuss how rhetoric has grown hotter. Typically, CBS didn’t include itself in the atmosphere of overheated rhetoric.
Kevin McCarthy came on CBS, and Norah O'Donnell went right to January 6. McCarthy said it was important to tone down the rhetoric, so Norah asked TWICE if he pushed Trump around on that point. pic.twitter.com/W2ZkX5ZiCr
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) July 15, 2024
O’DONNELL: You were speaker of the house on January 6th. We spoke that day. We were live on the air for more than ten hours or so, and I remember our conversation vividly, because you called on the president, to come forward, come before the cameras, and ask for the violence to stop. And you said, this should be a moment that brings us together, not divides us. But it's almost like the rhetoric's gotten hotter since then.
McCARTHY: It seems as though, from all campaigns. I've never seen something like this, where they go after somebody even through the Department of Justice and others. I hope all Americans reflect on this moment. Have you pushed something too far where a 20-year-old kid – we don’t know his background, but he’s gotta have something mental -- that would take an opportunity to try to assassinate somebody in a race. You would question whether you're safe to go to affiliate with any political party that you're fearful of your life. That's not America. That's not democracy. I will tell you today, I had other leaders from other countries call me about what transpired, that they're concerned about democracy, even in their own country, what they're hearing coming back. And this is a moment in time all parties should reflect and know that they should tone it back. We've got to start respecting individuals that we disagree with. You can respect somebody, at the same time disagree with them and debate in a manner that's respectful.
O’Donnell turned it right back on Trump, a day after he was shot: “Does Donald Trump bear some responsibility for that? Does he need to change his rhetoric?”
McCarthy was taken aback by the question, and its timing, but he said he meant everyone:
McCARTHY: You know it's odd. This is a man that came less than an inch from losing his life, and the question is you're worried about him? I think when I look at all Americans, I mean, I don't know that -- I look at our current president that less than two weeks ago said, you put a bullseye on Donald Trump. What I'm trying to be is a fair American to tell everybody to dial back. I think anyone that gave any rhetoric has some responsibility to where this country has gotten in the last couple of years when it comes to politics.
O’Donnell wasn’t letting up on Trump, like she hadn’t heard the answer: “Did you say that to Donald Trump today? Did you say, look, we need to think about the kind of rhetoric we have here? We can set a standard here.”
McCarthy replied: “My call today with the president, with a man that came so close to losing his life, wasn't about that. It was a concern for him personally. And I'm amazed he's here today. He doesn't push anything back. What it shows to me is what Donald Trump really values. It's not about him. It's what he wants to do for the country. And think about it. Anybody who runs for president, though, the fear that they could have. He could do a lot more in life. He could be very happy at Mar-a-Lago, but he's willing to risk that, even when his own family is concerned.”
McCarthy suggested Trump would have a new tone in the coming days. But when will the pro-Biden media hold Biden to account for his rhetoric? Or hold themselves responsible for their apocalyptic Democracy Dies in Darkness tone about Trump?
