Editor’s note: Arizona GOP Chair Jeff DeWit is resigning after audio was released that appears to show him hinting at bribes to get Senate candidate Kari Lake to drop out of the race. DeWit has claimed the audio is “selectively edited.”
“Contrary to accusations of bribery, my discussions were transparent and intended to offer perspective, not coercion,” DeWit said.
Senate candidate Kari Lake has called for the resignation of Arizona Republican Party chair Jeff DeWit after bombshell audio was released, allegedly capturing his attempt to bribe her to stay out of politics for two years.
Lake, appearing at a campaign party for presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in New Hampshire, suggested that people have had enough of the corruption.
When asked if DeWit should resign over the scandal, Lake replied, “I believe he should.”
“The people are rising up and saying, no, we want our country back,” she surmised. “‘We want our government back and we will no longer put up with one more ounce of corruption. And the truth is all coming out now.”
Lake reiterated calls for the Arizona Republican leader to resign when asked by another reporter, adding, “You can’t have somebody who’s corrupt and compromised running the Republican party.”
Kari Lake calls for @AZGOP Chair Jeff DeWit to resign after release of audio in which he can be heard bribing Lake to not run for the U.S. Senate in exchange for a potential job (and its salary): https://t.co/8tF4sodXf3 pic.twitter.com/4XBSzoVyYL
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) January 24, 2024
RELATED: Kari Lake Earns Legendary Status After Refusing to Stand for the ‘Black National Anthem’
Bombshell Audio Of Failed Attempt To Bribe Lake
In an era where politicians embroiled in scandal often emerge unscathed, the audio of DeWit trying to bribe Lake to stay out of the Senate race is remarkable, and it’s definitely worthy of his stepping down.
“There are very powerful people who want to keep you out,” DeWit says in the audio before suggesting she could get lucrative no show jobs by being added to a company’s payroll.
The conversation reportedly took place as Lake was considering running for the Senate seat.
Here's the full audio. Listen to what is said at 9:30! 😳
— E 🇺🇸 (@Simply4Truth_) January 23, 2024
Kari Lake: "I think you should go public with this"
Jeff DeWit: "Then I turn my key in my car and boom"pic.twitter.com/eBuhWfexXi
“This is about defeating Trump and I think that’s a bad, bad thing for our country,” Lake says in dismissing the payroll offer to keep her out of the race.
“Just say, is there a number at which…” DeWit later says before Lake cuts him off: “I can be bought? That’s what it’s about.”
“They’re going to have to f***ing kill me to stop me,” she insists.
“You can take a pause for a couple of years. You can go right back to what you’re doing,” DeWit continues to press.
Lake repeatedly says no, even if the scenario involves tens of millions of dollars – or even a billion – to her benefit.
“This is not about money, it’s about our country,” she says emphatically.
Lake Suggests DeWit Go Public With The Bribery Attempt By Those ‘Very Powerful People’
At one point on the audio tape, Lake suggests DeWit reveal the corruption within the Arizona Republican party by going public with his being tasked to bribe her out of the race by “very powerful people.”
Frighteningly, he suggests he can’t do that for fear of the repercussions.
“No, no, no, no, no,” he replies. “Then I turn my key in my car and *boom*.”
Earlier in the conversation he pleads for secrecy, saying, “If you say no, its fine, it’s your choice, don’t tell people.”
If DeWit is forced to resign, which seems likely, he should consider naming those “very powerful people” who sent him to bribe Lake. Are they with campaigns from other candidates? National candidates? Republican lawmakers?
Lake isn’t the only calling for DeWit’s resignation.
Maricopa County Republican Committee Chairman Craig Berland added, “‘If this is, in fact, true, I’m asking AZGOP Chairman Jeff DeWit to resign.”
Women’s advocate Riley Gaines called the audio “absolutely insane.”
“Our government is more corrupt than we realize,” she added. “Both sides.”
Do you think DeWit should resign? Let us know in the comments section.
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