Did Donald Trump really take the blame for Capitol riots? FOX slammed for 'fake news'
In the aftermath of the deadly riots in Capitol Hill on January 6, FOX News reported that President Donald Trump had "acknowledged" that he bears "some blame" for the insurrection in a conversation with House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy. This report comes as Axios reported that Trump continued to blame the "Antifa people" for the riots. Many have since taken to social media to label FOX News as "fake news" following the report.
The Capitol Hill riots on January 6 took place as Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential elections, which saw former Vice President Joe Biden formally seal his path to become the 46th President of the United States with Senator Kamala Harris as his Vice President. Members of Congress were forced to seek shelter as DC police lost control of the Capitol building.
Congress later returned to certify the Electoral College vote in the early hours of the following day, giving Biden his presidential victory. According to FOX News, the president reportedly agreed that he bore some blame for the riots that killed five people, including one Capitol police officer, in a House GOP conference. FOX News cited sources to report that McCarthy agreed that the president bore the blame for the unrest.
The report comes as House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against the president, saying he incited "insurrection". House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, later, said the House would meet at 9 am local time on Wednesday to consider the article of impeachment, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "The President’s threat to America is urgent, and so too will be our action."
However, Axios reported that Trump continued to deflect blame for the riots, blaming the "Antifa people" for the riots, despite documented evidence that the majority of the people at the riots were Trump supporters. The publication noted that the 30-minute-plus phone call was "tense" and that McCarthy responded, "It's not Antifa, it's MAGA. I know. I was there," according to an unnamed White House official.
Trump reportedly continued to peddle election fraud theories as McCarthy cut in to say, "Stop it. It's over. The election is over." McCarthy also reportedly told Trump that he should call the President-elect, Joe Biden, meet with him, and follow tradition to leave a welcome letter in the Resolute Desk for his successor. However, Trump reportedly responded that he had not decided to do so yet.
The FOX News report that the president acknowledged his part in the insurrection has been met with skepticism from supporters and naysayers of Trump alike. One supporter tweeted, "I won’t believe anything from Fox or any other MSM outlet. Americans want to hear it straight from the mouth of OUR President. Oh, but wait, he’s been silenced by big tech and others."
I won’t believe anything from Fox or any other MSM outlet. Americans want to hear it straight from the mouth of OUR President. Oh, but wait, he’s been silenced by big tech and others.
— jenniB (@Barrow_Motors) January 12, 2021
Opposers of Trump found it hard to believe that he would accept blame, with one tweeting, "BULLSH*T LIES, everybody knows TRUMP would never accept blame for anything!! McCarthy is just covering his A**!!! Talk about fake news FOX is the worst!!!!" Another wrote, "Until I hear it from his own mouth and action is taken against him for being responsible for a coup on the Capitol - I could care less."
BULLSHIT LIES, everybody knows TRUMP would never accept blame for anything!! McCarthy is just covering his ASS!!! Talk about fake news FOX is the worst!!!! https://t.co/510QLCwZqY
— Edward Polka (@polka_edward) January 12, 2021
Until I hear it from his own mouth and action is taken against him for being responsible for a coup on the Capitol - I could care less. https://t.co/lX2Fksxpe9
— krissy ness (@nesskrissy) January 12, 2021