Fox’s Cavuto disputes that clip shows Trump opposing Iraq War

Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto says his 2003 interview with Donald Trump does not show the billionaire clearly opposing the Iraq War.

“Donald Trump has been campaigning largely on a theme [of], ‘I saw the ills and woes of going into Iraq before anyone else,’” he said on Fox Business Network’s “Cavuto Coast to Coast” Tuesday.

{mosads}“And yet when I interviewed him back in January of 2003, a couple of months before we formally got involved in Iraq, well, he could have left you with a different impression,” Cavuto said.

Fox News Channel on Tuesday released a 2003 video clip that it says shows Trump doubting the Iraq War effort.

The network posted the video under the headline, “2003 clip backs up Trump on Iraq War opposition.”

“Well, he’s either got to do something or not do something perhaps, because perhaps he shouldn’t be doing it yet,” Trump said in the interview.

“And perhaps we should be waiting for the United Nations,” he added.

“Well, I’m starting to think that people are much more focused now on the economy. They’re getting a little bit tired of hearing. ‘We’re going in, we’re not going in. Either do it or don’t do it.”

Cavuto on Tuesday said Trump’s remarks were not a full-throated statement for or against the Iraq War.

“He did leave some caveats in there. He’s not bashing the president back then, nor is he fully endorsing Iraq. But he is saying some clear decision is required.”

Trump clashed with moderator Lester Holt during Monday night’s presidential debate over whether he supported the war.

“I did not support the war in Iraq,” he said, interrupting Holt when the NBC News anchor asked him about his support for the war.

“The record shows otherwise,” Holt replied.

Howard Stern asked Trump during a 2002 radio interview if he supported invading Iraq.

“Yeah, I guess so,” he replied. “I wish the first time it was done correctly.”

Trump has repeatedly touted his opposition to the Iraq War as proof of his foreign policy judgment.