RNC chair on Trump's California vote count comments: 'A little bit of a stretch'
Republican National Committee (RNC) co-Chair Michael Whatley said former President Trump’s comments suggesting he could win California were a “little bit of a stretch.”
Trump, in an interview with television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw released Wednesday, said he could win California if Jesus Christ was counting ballots.
“If Jesus Christ came down and was the vote counter, I would win California, OK?” Trump said. “In other words, if we had an honest vote counter, a really honest vote counter — I do great with Hispanics, great, I mean at a level no Republican has ever done. But if we had an honest vote counter, I would win California.”
During an interview with Fox LA anchor Elex Michaelson that aired Friday, Whatley talked about the RNC's need to have poll watchers in the state. Michaelson asked if people should trust that their votes will be counted “fairly.”
“Yeah, and that’s why we want to be here,” Whatley said. “And the thing about California law is it does allow anybody who is interested in serving in that capacity to go serve in that capacity, which I think is really good.”
Michaelson then asked Whatley what the former president meant with the Jesus remarks.
“Well, I think that he feels like California, there are a lot of Republicans and there are a lot of votes here,” Whatley said. “I think he was probably, you know, a little bit of a stretch.”
The anchor pointed out that Trump lost California to President Biden in 2020 by close to 5 million votes and then asked if Whatley had evidence that the former president won the Golden State.
Whatley, who was elected the committee’s co-chair in early March, said he did not.
“You know, I mean, the president can tell stories at any time, but that’s look, I think the key is that we want to make the point that it is very important for us to have election security protection in place, that we are going to protect the ballot,” Whatley added.
Michaelson then questioned if Trump’s messaging around voting is dangerous for the ex-president, since his supporters could believe the fraud claims and ultimately decide against voting at all.
“Right. That’s why we set this program up,” Whatley said. “That’s exactly the conversation that we are having.”
Date: | |
Tag: | California |
-
ABC News - Top stories
Cooler weather in Southern California helps in wildfire battle
Cooler weather is helping firefighters make progress against three Southern California wildfires5 hours ago - California -
The Hill - Politics
Tillis, Graham, Greene unite against Loomer’s comments
Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have united in admonishing racist remarks made by far-right activist Laura Loomer, a supporter of former ...57 minutes ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
As California Fires Burn, Some Residents Begin to Mourn Lost Homes
Firefighters are making progress against the Bridge, Line and Airport fires to prevent more destruction, but for some, the damage is done.5 hours ago - California -
CBS Sports - Sports
Eagles' A.J. Brown misses practice, questionable for 'MNF' after hamstring 'got a little tight' Friday
'We'll see how it goes," Nick Sirianni said Saturday about Brown's status for 'MNF'6 hours ago - NFL -
The Hill - Politics
Maher predicts 'it's over' for Trump
Comedian Bill Maher said he thinks former President Trump is going to lose the 2024 presidential election in November on his HBO show on Friday. "Tonight, I'm saying, I think it's over," Bill Maher ...7 hours ago - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Politics
Springfield on edge after Trump accusations
New threats are emerging in Springfield where the Haitian community held a meeting online about false rumors that Haitian immigrants have been stealing and eating household pets. NBC News’ Maggie ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Top stories
Springfield on edge after Trump accusations
New threats are emerging in Springfield where the Haitian community held a meeting online about false rumors that Haitian immigrants have been stealing and eating household pets. NBC News’ Maggie ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Politics
Trump and Harris on the campaign trail post-debate
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are back on the campaign trail after their debate. Harris is set to kick off a campaign blitz in Pennsylvania, while Trump is back in battleground Nevada. NBC News’s ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
BBC News - Top stories
The anti-abortion activist urging followers to abandon Trump
Lila Rose says his more moderate stance has made it "impossible" to support him. Could it impact who wins the election?2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Warren warns of ‘profoundly serious consequences’ of a Trump victory
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warned of “profoundly serious consequences” if former President Trump wins the upcoming election. Warren, in an op-ed published Saturday in The New York Times, ...22 minutes ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Warren warns of ‘profoundly serious consequences’ of a Trump victory
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warned of “profoundly serious consequences” if former President Trump wins the upcoming election. Warren, in an op-ed published Saturday in The New York Times, ...22 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Tillis, Graham, Greene unite against Loomer’s comments
Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have united in admonishing racist remarks made by far-right activist Laura Loomer, a supporter of former ...57 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Mary Trump on debate: Winners don’t ‘turn down’ the chance to ‘win again’
Former President Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, said she thinks her uncle knows he lost the presidential debate earlier this week because winners don’t turn down the opportunity to “win again.” Mary ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Russia, Ukraine exchange more than 200 in prisoner swap
Russia and Ukraine both announced Saturday that more than 200 people were freed in a prisoner swap between the two countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a statement and video ...3 hours ago - Ukraine -
The Hill - Politics
Advocacy groups sue Alabama over voter roll purge
A lawsuit brought forward by several advocacy groups alleges that four individuals in Alabama have been unfairly targeted by the state's voter roll purge ahead of the presidential election in ...4 hours ago