‘That doesn’t make any sense’: George Stephanopoulos grills Gov Chris Sununu over support for Donald Trump despite past criticism
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ABC News host George Stephanopoulos engaged in a fiery exchange with GOP New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, delving into the heart of Sununu's support for former President Donald Trump in a tense interview.
The conversation, aired on Sunday, April 14, illuminated the complex dynamics within the Republican Party and the broader American political landscape.
Sununu, who had previously criticized Trump's rhetoric and actions, announced his endorsement of Trump in March, prompting Stephanopoulos to question the Governor's stance.
George Stephanopoulos challenges Sununu's support for Trump
The discussion quickly escalated as Stephanopoulos pressed Sununu on whether his support for Trump would waver in the face of potential legal consequences, such as a conviction in the hush money case.
In response, Sununu downplayed the potential political impact of Trump's legal troubles, characterizing them as akin to "reality TV" and suggesting that Trump's ability to portray himself as a victim had buoyed his popularity despite ongoing controversies.
"This trial is not going to have major political ramifications that a lot of people think it may have. When it comes to these issues, people see it more as reality TV at this point," Sununu said.
"He’ll try to victimize it, and that has worked for him. This has been going on for over a year, and his poll numbers never seem to go down because of the issue," he added.
Stephanopoulos, however, steered the conversation towards moral considerations, repeatedly grilling Sununu on the ethical implications of supporting a figure whom he himself had accused of contributing to the Capitol insurrection.
"I’m asking you a very simple question. You believe Donald Trump contributed to an insurrection. That’s correct, right?"
"I stand by the statement," Sununu responded.
Stephanopoulos grapples with loyalty versus integrity within GOP
The interview highlighted a broader ideological divide within the Republican Party, with Stephanopoulos questioning whether loyalty to Trump weighed over principles of integrity and accountability.
Sununu, meanwhile, framed his support for Trump as part of a larger push for societal change and an antidote to what he perceived as elitism and stagnation in Washington.
"That doesn’t make any sense to me, governor. I’m sorry. You’re saying it’s not about Trump. He would be the president, and he’s somebody who contributed to an insurrection," Stephanopoulos challenged.
Sununu responded, underscoring Trump's popularity: "I understand it doesn’t make sense to you, George, but look at the polls. What you are telling me is you don’t understand why 51% of this country is supporting Donald Trump. They’re not crazy. They’re not MAGA conservatives. They’re not extremists. They want culture change."
Sununu's unwavering support for Trump
The exchange also underscored the enduring influence of Trump within the GOP, as Sununu pointed to opinion polls showing significant support for the former president despite lingering controversies.
"So just to sum up, you would support him for president even if he was convicted in classified documents. You would support him for president, even if though you believe he contributed to an insurrection. You support him for president even though you believe he’s lying about the last election. You'd support him for president even if he’s convicted in the Manhattan case. I just want to say the answer is yes, correct?" Stephanopoulos pressed.
"Yeah me and 51% of America," Sununu responded.
