townhall
Pete Buttigieg's Attacks on Donald Trump Got Huge Applause From the Fox News Townhall Audience
He brought the house down.
On Sunday, Fox News broadcast a townhall hosted by Chris Wallace with 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. To no one's surprise, Wallace questioned Buttigieg about President Donald Trump's attacks against him.
After Wallace asked Buttigieg to comment on the public appeal of the President's Twitter posts, the Indiana mayor replied:
"It is the nature of grotesque things that you can't look away."
Buttigieg admits on Fox News that he sometimes has trouble turning away from President Donald Trump's tweets and co… https://t.co/XNxrrr5Z3u— Dan Merica (@Dan Merica) 1558309368.0
When pressed earlier for his personal opinion, especially regarding Trump's attacks against him, Buttigieg said:
"The tweets are—I don't care."
The remark drew enthusiastic applause.
“How would you handle Trump’s insults and the tweets and all of that?” @PeteButtigieg: “The tweets are... I don’t… https://t.co/GX9YbHhS5A— Justin Kanew (@Justin Kanew) 1558315862.0
Afterward Wallace said:
"It's a great way to command attention."
Buttigieg answered:
"It's a great way to command attention from the media."
Buttigieg went on to state the United States needs to change:
"...the channel from this show [Trump] created."
Ovation after ovation for @PeteButtigieg: Chris Wallace: How would you handle the tweets? Buttigieg: "The tweets a… https://t.co/VZ13js9Duj— Brian Tyler Cohen (@Brian Tyler Cohen) 1558320590.0
In wrapping up his appearance on Fox News, Buttigieg stated:
"Look, what we’re trying to do here is different. Because the moment that we’re in is different. I get that a millennial, midwestern mayor is not what leaps to mind when you think about a prototypical candidate for president. But I also think we’re livingi—f it’s hard to figure out what’s going on right now, it’s because we are living on one of those blank pages in between chapters of American history. And what comes next could be ugly or it could be amazing."
Buttigieg added:
"And I believe running for office is an act of hope, and so is voting for somebody, and supporting somebody and volunteering for somebody. I hope you’ll join me in making sure that that next era is better than any we’ve had so far."
In case you had any doubts #ButtigiegTownHall https://t.co/TlfDwew1Ld— 👢⛸⛸ Lovser from Midwest (@👢⛸⛸ Lovser from Midwest) 1558312102.0
#ButtigiegTownhall later trended on social media with the majority of comments favorable toward the Democratic candidate.
Pete Buttigieg proves it's possible to have different opinions and still be civil with those who disagree with them… https://t.co/qS5wVZEVMw— Trevor Donovan (@Trevor Donovan) 1558308899.0
Really great answer from @PeteButtigieg on Trump pardoning service members convicted of heinous crimes, doesn't hes… https://t.co/Fczd4AUpeJ— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈) 1558309671.0
“You want to have leaders — and certainly, want to have a president — who can lead in a way that equips young peopl… https://t.co/dgUqB2mlDW— (((neal hughlett))) (@(((neal hughlett)))) 1558225054.0
MAYOR PETE JUST DID THAT! He just reminded everyone why he's a top Presidential contender. He was excellent on… https://t.co/SQvEfviDEK— CaramelSun (@CaramelSun) 1558311423.0
Mayor Pete calling out Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingram for their divisive hateful rhetoric on Fox during his Fox Ne… https://t.co/LTU4r6kqO4— #KnowThe2020Candidates (@#KnowThe2020Candidates) 1558309165.0
Mayor Pete is so good @brithume not only praises him, he slams the Dear Leader in the process. #ButtigiegTownHall https://t.co/OcfQS4LJrq— Political Glutton (@Political Glutton) 1558311841.0
If I'm Bernie Sanders watching this Fox News town hall with Pete Buttigieg, I'm taking note of the robust applause… https://t.co/hjFoDtaI4b— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈) 1558310450.0
“It’s a moral office, not just a management job... that’s the part I think we’re missing today.” - @PeteButtigieg… https://t.co/g2ZPt8BSjm— Justin Kanew (@Justin Kanew) 1558315144.0
Mayor Pete Buttigieg on the #FoxNews Town Hall is intelligent, measured, likeable and credible! This is what a grea… https://t.co/eNvGEhKg2k— CaramelSun (@CaramelSun) 1558308282.0
The South Bend mayor is one of several Democrats to accept invitations to appear on Fox News. However others refused the offer.
I understand the arguments of not giving Fox News the time of day, but watching Pete Buttigieg I keep thinking of t… https://t.co/XLbkSJK6sD— Adam (@Adam) 1558309162.0
In defense of his own position, Buttigieg said:
"If we ignore the viewers of Fox News and every news platform that doesn’t share our worldview, we will surrender our ability to speak directly to millions of American voters. If we don’t show up, the conservative media will tell our side of the story for us."
Watch the full townhall here.