Before co-authoring the controversial book “Original Sin,” he had already engaged in numerous interviews to promote it. However, he faced humiliation multiple times for trying to defend himself against accusations of involvement in concealing former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.
On a recent episode of his show “The Lead,” he further embarrassed himself by failing to fact-check Senator Tammy Duckworth’s statements that contradicted information from his CNN colleague. The disagreement was regarding Senator Alex Padilla’s disruptive behavior during a Department of Homeland Security press conference, as described by Elam.
Padilla then pretended to fight against removal from the room, and was ultimately forced to the ground and handcuffed.
Early in the program, Tapper spoke with CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam, who attended the press conference, to clarify the sequence of events.
Elam’s account stated that Padilla interrupted Secretary Noem’s speech by shouting at her after entering the room. Only when security intervened to remove him did Padilla identify himself, notably without providing the required credentials.
Elam told Tapper:
Now, her press conference had started. She was in the middle of talking when he did just start talking. And that’s the other key point. He started talking first. And when he started talking, he took a couple of steps. It was not a lunge as it’s been characterized. And then there were immediately hands on him from her detailed people pushing him away and back and moving him away from – then during that time, is when he identified himself. So, he did not identify himself first when he was asking the question and interrupting her.
Tapper later brought on Duckworth — who I should note wasn’t at the press conference — to get the histrionic response to Padilla’s performative theatrics and subsequent handcuffing. During their conversation, Duckworth twice gave a fictitious chronology of the events (lied herself silly) that didn’t correspond with what CNN’s own reporter had just told Tapper.
Here’s Duckworth:
Well, just watch the video. I mean, within the first two seconds of him standing up, he identified himself as “I’m Senator Alex Padilla.” He identifies exactly who he is. He tries to ask a question. He tries to do what every American has the right to do, which is your First Amendment rights. And what we see the response is, is really, you know, a pure, un-American authoritarianism. And it should scare us all, because if they can do this to a U.S. senator, they can do this to the average American.
Please, Ms. Duckworth.
In addition to Duckworth’s story about Padilla not adding up, no American has a “right” to interrupt a press conference and start shouting at the speaker — particular at a government official. Tammy might want to reread the First Amendment — assuming she’s ever read it.
Tapper asked Duckworth if, in her view, Padilla’s actions could have been interpreted by security guards as a risk. Remember, as multiple credible reports said, security — and likely most of the people in the room — had no idea who the senator from California was.
