CNN’s Jake Tapper questions giving some GOP leaders airtime

CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday questioned why any Republicans who promote false election fraud theories should be given any airtime.

“If they’re willing to lie about Joe Biden wanting to steal your hamburgers, and QAnon and the Big Lie about the election, what are they not willing to lie about?” Tapper said. “Why should I put any of them on TV?”

Tapper, who hosts the network’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” singled out GOP leaders such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif) and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (La.). He told CNN’s “New Day” morning program that Republican lawmakers have lied about the pandemic, leading to lower vaccination rates, and election fraud, which led to an incitement of violence.

“The lie about the election on its own is anti-democracy, and it is sowing seeds of ignorance in the populous, and obviously has the potential to incite violence,” Tapper said. “But beyond that is, if you’re willing to lie about that, what are you not willing to lie about? And that’s where we are when it comes to the House Republican leadership, McCarthy and Scalise, and where we are with too many leaders of the Republican Party.”

Spokespeople for CNN did not immediately respond to questions by The Hill about whether the network agreed with Tapper’s position or would support his banning Republican leaders from the show. Tapper could not be reached for comment.

Last December, Tapper said he had a policy of never booking former President Trump’s White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on his show or Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller.

“There are some people that are so mendacious, I just wouldn’t put them on air,” Tapper said at the time. “Kayleigh McEnany, I never booked her. Jason Miller from the Trump campaign, I would never book him. These are just people who tell lies the way that most people breathe. There was no value in that.”

On Monday, after slamming Rick Santorum for his recent remarks dismissing the influence of Native American culture, CNN host Don Lemon questioned why CNN anchor Chris Cuomo invited Santorum on his show to explain those remarks.

“I had him on because I wanted people to see what this is. There is no mystery for you guys,” Cuomo replied.

“People know what it is, Chris,” Lemon responded.