“It Really Is Just Plain Weird”: Bakari Sellers Laughs Off GOP Defense of Trump’s Controversial Comment
(pbs)
A Republican’s attempt to downplay a controversial comment made by Donald Trump over the weekend led to a burst of laughter from political analyst Bakari Sellers. Lance Trover, former campaign spokesperson for Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), tried to justify Trump’s message to Christians that “they won’t have to vote anymore” if he returns to the White House.
“I think it’s a day that ends in ‘y’ and we’re having a discussion about something Donald Trump said at a rally,” Trover stated. “Look, this is Donald Trump, it’s what he does, it’s no big deal.” Sellers couldn’t contain his laughter and then critiqued several points Trover made, including the assertion that it was pointless for Vice President Kamala Harris to attack Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH).
“I just find it funny,” Sellers said. “Lance said that we couldn’t focus on J.D. Vance, it’s about the people at the top of the ticket. And then when we focus on the top of the ticket, he’s like, ‘Oh well, it’s a Donald Trumpism, it’s a day that ends in y.'”
Sellers proceeded to list Biden administration policies he credited with lowering inflation and crime rates, echoing messaging from Harris’ campaign and Democrats who have shifted their strategy from calling Trump an authoritarian threat to a more straightforward critique.
“When Donald Trump says stuff like that, yes, it really is just plain weird,” Sellers said. “The weird stuff he says, as well as the fact that the childless cat ladies’ man that’s running with him has said some utterly weird things as well. His record needs to be adjudicated because he’s one breath and one heartbeat away from the White House.”
Trover argued that Harris’ “weird messaging” didn’t resonate with voters concerned about the cost of living and southern border policy. Sellers countered by highlighting other issues important to voters. “[Trump] put three justices on the Supreme Court that took away a woman’s right to choose, and so there’s a long litany of conversations that we can be having,” Sellers said. “Trump is the oldest candidate for president in American history.”
Sellers then pointed out Vance as Trump’s biggest campaign mistake. “A Donald Trump Jr. temper tantrum got J.D. Vance on the ticket,” Sellers said. “J.D. Vance is a hell of a mistake, one that we have to capitalize on.” Sellers’ critique underscores the broader Democratic strategy of highlighting the peculiarities and controversial decisions of Trump and his running mate, aiming to sway voters by emphasizing their records and statements.
