Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and MSNBC host Joy Reid sparred during a Tuesday evening interview. Tension escalated after Reid continually interrupted the congressman.
Reid, whom Tucker Carlson has called the “race lady,” a “bigot,” and an “unhappy person,” challenged Donalds on the race of the new speaker of the House, racism in America and Republican initiatives.
The MSNBC host expressed her displeasure at the removal of Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and Ilhan Omar from the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Committees.
McCarthy and others made the case that Schiff disqualified himself via his handling of the Steele dossier, Omar disqualified herself via multiple antisemitic comments, and Swalwell disqualified himself due to a reported intimate relationship with a Chinese spy and his ineligibility to obtain a security clearance in the secular world.
Last February, Kevin McCarthy announced that the three would be among the first to be removed from their committee assignments if elected speaker. McCarthy, who was elected speaker just last week, is moving forward with his promise.
Reid tried to paint McCarthy’s decision to remove the three as inappropriate: “Do you think that is a good look for the Republican Party?” Reid asked.
Sensing Reid was on the attack, Donalds’ response included the edge of sarcasm: “No, I think them going back on committees is what should happen,” Donalds quipped.
Noting that Democrats under Pelosi’s leadership removed Republicans from leadership positions in the House, Donalds added:
“Look, what we told Democrat leadership when they went down this pathway of removing members from the committee is basically saying, you should not do that because if it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander. Let’s be very clear, Ilhan Omar has said things that are reprehensible.”
Unhappy with the response, Reid tried to cut him off. “Can you name–” Reid began.
Donalds insisted on finishing his thought: “Hold on, hold on, let me finish,” Donalds said. “She’s said terrible things about the Jewish community, so much so that resolutions had to go to the House floor about them, and they were watered down.”
Reid then accused Republican leaders of targeting Schiff, Omar and Swalwell, suggesting they were removed from committees solely out of vengeance.
Donalds vehemently denied the charge, saying, “No, if you want to change the rules, then we’ll live by your rules,” Donalds explained.
Reid and Donalds sparred throughout the interview — often speaking over each other as they touched on important discussion points.
Reid challenged Donalds’ assertion that the social security system needs a significant overhaul, prompting the congressman to say, “Do you know that Social Security is going to be insolvent in 2035?”
Reid did not present facts to substantiate her claim, but said, “It is not. That’s not true. It’s actually not true.”
Donalds reminded Reid that he was a highly trained financial manager and assured her that his statement was accurate.
“Joy, I’m a finance professional,” Donalds said. “I do more than just [serve in] Congress. I worked in the financial community. I am telling you. Social Security will go insolvent.”
Undeterred, Reid continued to speak over Donalds, saying, “That’s actually not true. That’s not true.”
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