Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams engaged in a heated exchange with CNN host Kaitlan Collins over claims that she cast doubt on the legitimacy of her 2018 election loss. Abrams accused Collins of "repeating disinformation" about her statements, prompting a clarification of her position.
In an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Stacey Abrams, the failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, refuted accusations of spreading disinformation about the outcome of her 2018 election loss to Governor Brian Kemp. Abrams vehemently denied Collins' assertions that she had claimed victory, saying, "Kaitlan, that's actually incorrect... you're repeating disinformation."
Stacey Abrams Accuses CNN Host of Misrepresenting Election Doubts
Collins pointed to an interview Abrams gave to The New York Times in which she stated, "I won," as well as her characterization of the election as "stolen." However, Abrams argued that Collins was not accurately representing her comments. She maintained that while she had expressed concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, she had never denied Kemp's victory.
"What the court said, if you read the entire opinion," Abrams explained, "was that despite the flaws in the process, that we acknowledge, that the courts acknowledge, they were no longer permitted to complete and fix them. They could not correct the mistakes because the law had changed between 2018 and 2022 when the case was finally adjudicated."
Stacey Abrams Accuses CNN Host of Misrepresenting Election Doubts
Collins pressed Abrams on whether she regretted her previous language, which echoed claims made by Donald Trump about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Abrams reiterated her belief that the 2018 election process was flawed and that she still doubted its fairness.
"I believed then, and I believe now I have never been the governor of Georgia," Abrams stated. "I've never claimed to be the governor of Georgia. What I have said is that voters were denied their full rights. Courts agreed with me in the time of that election, they agreed with me post-election..."
Stacey Abrams Accuses CNN Host of Misrepresenting Election Doubts
Abrams emphasized the importance of scrutinizing election laws and processes, noting that the Voting Rights Act had provided protection that is no longer in place. She argued that Republicans were exploiting this lack of protection to hinder voter participation.
Collins acknowledged reading past headlines and understanding Abrams' concerns about Georgia's election laws. However, she cited a court ruling stating that "Georgia's election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the Constitution nor the Voting Rights Act."
Abrams' exchange with Collins highlights the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of election results and the role of potential flaws in the electoral process. It also underscores the challenges candidates face in balancing concerns about voter suppression with the need to respect democratic outcomes.
