MSNBC's Rachel Maddow says she 'cannot believe' Ron Johnson read wrong speech at RNC, Internet says 'it's just a clown show'

Rachel Maddow addressed Ron Johnson's claim that the teleprompter at RNC loaded an old version of the speech instead of the one he wanted to present
UPDATED JUL 16, 2024
Rachel Maddow discussed Ron Johnson's supposed speech gaffe while covering the opening night of the RNC (MSNBC/YouTube)
Rachel Maddow discussed Ron Johnson's supposed speech gaffe while covering the opening night of the RNC (MSNBC/YouTube)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: On the opening night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) took the stage to deliver a speech, but it appears he intended to go forward with a different one.

The convention began on Monday, July 15, just two days after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican who previously donated $15 to a liberal PAC, left many questions unanswered about their motive. 

The tragic incident has prompted calls for toning down violent political rhetoric, however, many Republicans have since pointed fingers at Democrats. 

During the coverage of RNC Day One, MSNBC aired a clip of Sen Johnson giving his speech, in which he accused the Democratic Party of being "the party of open borders, reckless spending, weaponized government, and weakness on the world stage."

He added, "This fringe agenda includes biological males competing against girls and the sexualization and indoctrination of our children."



 

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow breaks down Sen Ron Johnson’s RNC speech mixup

As the clip ended, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow took the opportunity to discuss a situation surrounding Sen Ron Johnson's RNC speech, referencing a report by PBS, as per Mediaite

According to Amna Nawaz, a PBS News Hour anchor, Johnson claimed that the speech he delivered on the podium was not the one he intended to present.

Maddow said, "Now, interestingly, Amna Nawaz – PBS News Hour anchor – she says that she asked Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson about the tone of his remarks. At one other point in the speech, he said that Democratic policies are a ‘clear and present danger to the country.'"

"She asked him about saying that about Democrats while he’s been otherwise calling for unity. And his response was that his speech that he just delivered at the RNC was not the speech he meant to give. It was all a big misunderstanding. The teleprompter loaded the old version. The new one called for unity, but they didn’t put that one in there. So, he just gave the old one," added the MSNBC host. 

Rachel Maddow discussed the speech gaffe with fellow MSNBC hosts while covering Day One of RNC (MSNBC/YouTube)
Rachel Maddow discussed Rep Ron Johnson's apparent speech gaffe with fellow MSNBC hosts while covering Day One of the RNC (MSNBC/YouTube)

This led Joy Reid to ask, "He couldn’t ad-lib some unity?!"

Maddow expressed, "Amna is a fantastic reporter. I absolutely believe this reporter and I cannot believe this is real.”

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also weighed in on the matter, highlighting a key aspect of the situation.

She said, "Well, first of all, we have all read from teleprompters. And if something comes up in the teleprompter that Rachel Maddow would read that says, like, ‘I love Donald Trump and he’s the best representative of our democracy,’ you probably would stop and not read it."

Internet reacts as Rachel Maddow addresses Sen Ron Johnson’s RNC speech gaffe

As Rachel Maddow shed light on Sen Ron Johnson's apparent speech gaffe, netizens were quick to share their opinion regarding Republicans and Sen Ron Johnson. 

One wrote, "Republican kid on a roof with an AR 15 makes MAGA and the NRA proud, until he shoots one of their own. Then it’s the Dems fault. MAGA weaklings," and another said, "It's just a clown show. And not a very good one."

"Ron Johnson just started reading the wendy's menu to the audience," joked a person, while someone else added, "Ron Johnson is tied with Tommy Tuberville for the title: Dumbest US Senator."

"Sure, Ron. I believe you. You’ve shown such great credibility over the years talking about fraud votes, stolen elections, etc," remarked another person. 

One more bluntly stated, "Republicans LIE, it's what they do."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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