In a heated debate on CNN, anti-Trump attorney George Conway accused CNN contributor Scott Jennings of lying about former President Trump's New York conviction. Conway's outburst highlights the deepening divide within the Republican Party over Trump's legal woes.
Anti-Trump attorney George Conway erupted in a heated debate on CNN Friday, accusing CNN contributor Scott Jennings of lying about former President Trump's unprecedented conviction in New York.
Conway's anger flared as Jennings argued that Trump's conviction has united the GOP and will "backfire" on the Democrats.
"Scott's lying and that's the problem with the Republican Party. It's continually addicted to lies. It's a lie," Conway told Jennings as his voice rose.
Jennings, visibly taken aback, asked, "Wait a minute, what am I lying about?"
"You're lying!" Conway yelled back. "You're lying, Scott. You're lying about the law! You're lying about what the jury was charged to find. They don't have an underlying crime. They had to find the intent to cover up an underlying crime."
Jennings remained composed, asking, "What was the crime?"
Conway continued his tirade, calling out CNN for employing Jennings as a contributor.
"This is the problem with the Republican Party is that they are suffused with lies," he said. "I don't know why this network is paying Scott to say those lies."
CNN host Kasie Hunt interjected, urging Conway to refrain from personal attacks.
"Whoa, whoa, OK, let's not go there, George," Hunt said. "Scott is our colleague and we are going to treat him respectfully as such."
Conway dismissed Hunt's admonition, exclaiming, "This is ridiculous."
Jennings, undeterred, argued that Trump's trial appeared politically motivated.
"The mood of the party reminds me a little bit about the Kavanaugh period," he said, referring to the controversial confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. "I feel and sense that the same thing is happening today, which is why I think you're probably going to see this backfire politically on the Democrats and they're going to regret it."
Conway muttered to himself in a low voice as Jennings spoke.
The outburst highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party over Trump's legal troubles. Some Republicans have distanced themselves from Trump, while others remain steadfast in their support.
Jurors found the former president guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree on Thursday, which stemmed from a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump is now the first presumptive major party nominee and former U.S. president to ever be convicted of a crime.
The conviction comes as Trump considers a potential run for re-election in 2024. It remains to be seen how the conviction will impact his chances of securing the Republican nomination and winning the general election.
