CNN Anchor Cuts Away From Kamala Harris Rally and Fact-Checks Claims

 

CNN anchor Jake Tapper interrupted Vice President Kamala Harris' rally in Arizona during a live broadcast on Thursday, providing "two teeny little fact checks" regarding the Democratic nominee's remarks.

Harris was campaigning in Arizona as Democrats strive to maintain their momentum in this critical swing state. Many forecasts suggest that former President Donald Trump has an advantage in Arizona, though the race is exceptionally close.

During Thursday's episode of *The Lead with Jake Tapper*, CNN aired a segment of Harris' rally in Phoenix, where she criticized Trump’s economic policies and his statements about reproductive rights. She claimed that Trump's proposed "20 percent national sales tax" would cost the average American an additional $4,000 annually, referring to his plan for a 20 percent tariff on all imports. Additionally, Harris condemned Trump's abortion policies, stating that he "hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court" with the aim of overturning Roe v. Wade.

Harris further asserted, "Did everyone hear what he just said yesterday? That he will do what he wants, quote, and here's where I'm going to quote: 'Whether the women like it or not.'"

Shortly after her speech, Tapper provided fact-checks on Harris’ claims. He noted, "First of all, she keeps referring to the Trump proposal on tariffs as a sales tax. It's not a sales tax. You can debate the merits of tariffs, but it's incorrect to call them a sales tax." 

Tapper also clarified the context of Trump's statement, explaining that he was referring to his intention to protect women rather than suggesting he would act without their consent. He remarked, "Certainly, you can take issue with the language, but he wasn't saying he was just going to do whatever he wanted."

Trump made his controversial comments about protecting women during a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, stating that his campaign advisors had warned him against using that phrase. He recounted, "My people told me... they said, 'We think it's very inappropriate for you to say.' I said, 'Why? I'm president, I want to protect the women of our country.'"

Polls indicate that Trump is significantly trailing Harris among female voters, a demographic that tends to turn out in higher numbers during elections. Concerns have arisen among some Republicans, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who warned that Trump's rhetoric may alienate women voters. She said, "Fifty-three percent of the electorate are women... that is not the way to win women."

Economists have also expressed concerns regarding Trump’s tariff proposals. While they could potentially benefit U.S.-based manufacturers, they would likely lead to higher prices for consumers. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, stated, "It's a really bad idea... You're going to push this exceptionally good economy into a ditch."

Moreover, a group of 23 Nobel Prize-winning economists recently warned that a second Trump presidency could result in higher prices, increased deficits, and greater inequality. Some of Trump's supporters, like Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, have suggested that while his economic policies might involve short-term challenges, they could yield long-term benefits for America.

Trump's running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio, echoed this sentiment in an NBC News interview, asserting, "Anything that you lose on the tariff from the perspective of the consumer, you gain in higher wages, so you're ultimately much better off."