Donald Trump Jr. blasted CNN’s Jake Tapper as a “Democrat operative” after it was discovered he interjected in a House race in Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district.
The charged comments come after Tapper was accused of conducting a softball interview with Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“CNN’s [Tapper] went way harder [and] spent way more time [and] energy trying to convince [Sean Parnell] not to run against Democrat Rep. Conor Lamb than he did interviewing Joe Biden,” he tweeted.
“That only makes sense if you’re a democrat operative — not a journalist.”
Trump Jr. is referencing news that Tapper allegedly tried to convince Republican Sean Parnell not to run against Democrat incumbent Connor Lamb, and instead find a different district to run in.
CNN’s @JakeTapper went way harder & spent way more time & energy trying to convince @SeanParnellUSA not to run against democrat Rep. Conor Lamb than he did interviewing Joe Biden. That only makes sense if you’re a democrat operative — not a journalist. https://t.co/M3U4dPsVSy
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 11, 2020
RELATED: CNN’s Jake Tapper Denied Meddling In An Election – He Just Got Caught Lying
Lyin’ Denyin’ Tapper
Sources of Breitbart News claimed they had evidence that Tapper had tried to sway Parnell which they said was “nothing short of a CNN anchor interfering in a national election.”
The CNN correspondent denied the allegations in a direct message exchange with former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell.
Fox News subsequently obtained a direct message from Tapper to Parnell’s twitter account which downplays talking him out of running, but admits “I was trying to talk you into running in a safer [Republican] district.”
Yes. https://t.co/RGJZQbt592 pic.twitter.com/qTsRbKpNU4
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) September 10, 2020
Several critics were appalled at Tapper’s actions, both as a journalist interjecting himself into an election decision and as a liar.
Grenell also noted his history as a Democrat operative.
“When [Tapper], a former Democrat Hill staffer from Pennsylvania, tries to manipulate a Pennsylvania Congressional race while hosting a nightly news show, the cable network MUST take action,” he demanded.
Not a Minor Thing
Indeed, Tapper began his career as congressional Press Secretary for former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy (D-PA).
Convincing a Republican with a shot to beat Lamb to not run against him in the first place would not only be beneficial to Democrats in Pennsylvania, but it would also be beneficial to Biden.
REPORT: CNN’s Jake Tapper urged Republican Sean Parnell not to run against Democrat Rep. Conor Lamb…
A REPORTER URGING A CANDIDATE NOT TO RUN IS UNETHICAL IN EVERY SENSE…
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) September 10, 2020
“This is a swing district in a swing state,” the Breitbart News source explained. “Jake knows that Sean can bring out voters that might otherwise stay home but if they come out, they’re voting for Trump.”
GOP consultant Mike DeVanney said the district is important nationally, calling it “a battleground for both presidential candidates.”
Tapper not only appears to have intervened in trying to protect a Democrat seat, trying to sideline someone who could bring out Trump supporters but is now helpfully conducting softball interviews for the President’s opponent.