Trump shuts down reporter in feisty exchange over whether his supporters will be violent
Donald Trump quickly shot a reporter asking whether he should tell his supporters that there should be “no violence” on Election Day.
The question came to the ex-president shortly after he cast his vote in Florida with his wife, former first lady Melania Trump.
“Would you like to tell your supporters that there should be no violence,” a female reporter was heard asking the Republican presidential candidate.
Trump, wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat, immediately shot back: “My supporters are not violent people. I don’t have to tell them that, and they certainly don’t want violence.’
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump, accompanied by former US first lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters as he votes at the Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day in Palm Beach, Florida, USA, November 5, 2024. Trump was asked if he will tell his supporters not to be violent, to which he replied that there is no need
The ex-president, who has for years criticized the way MAGA supporters acted on January 6, 2021 when a violent mob attacked the US Capitol, seemed irritated by the question.
Notably, the attack came after a Trump rally where attendees were prodded with theories about how the Republican actually won the 2020 election despite results claiming President Joe Biden’s victory.
Many who participated that day have been sentenced to prison for violating the Congress center.
Trump didn’t seem to like that the question seemingly defamed his fans.
“These are great people,” Trump continued sternly, adding that he “certainly” doesn’t have to tell them to behave politely.
Trump was clearly offended by the insinuation that MAGA voters are criminal or evil.
Trump and Melania after voting on Election Day
The pair answered questions in what looked like a gymnasium
Melania hardly spoke, but did say that she had a very good feeling about the elections
“These are people who don’t believe in violence, contrary to your question,” he replied.
“You believe in violence,” he then accused the journalist.
During his appearance at the polling station, Trump admitted that he was “confident” he would win the race.
He spoke to the press after casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, even though polls show the race between him and Kamala Harris to be nearly even.
The 78-year-old was accompanied by wife Melania, who kept her sunglasses on as her husband answered questions from reporters, with just hours until the polls close in what would be one of the closest elections in history.
The former first lady answered a quick question about how she was feeling: “Very good. Thank you.’
The press lined up to ask Trump questions after his vote at a local polling station
He argued that if more Republicans voted than Democrats, he should be declared the winner. There is no way to know if Republicans voted for him or an alternative.
‘It looks like we have a very substantial lead. It appears that many more Republicans vote today than Democrats. If you have an advantage and we have a bigger voice, it means you are doing very well. They have to choose a winner. And they should name a winner, yes,” he said.
But he said he would concede if he lost a “fair” election.
“If it’s a fair election, I would be the first to acknowledge it if I lost. And so far I think it’s been fair,” he said.
Trump has indicated during his campaign that he does not trust the voting process and could challenge the results if Harris wins.
‘I ran a great campaign. I think this might have been the best of the three. We did great in the first, much better in the second. Something happened. And this was the best – I would say this was the best campaign we’ve run,” he said.