Stephanopoulos to Pence on Trump’s lies: ‘Why is it refreshing to make false statements?’

Sky Palma

During an interview on ABC’s This Week, host George Stephanopoulos confronted vice president-elect Mike Pence over Donald Trump‘s false claim that “millions”of illegal votes contributed to Hillary Clinton‘s win of the popular vote.


 
“That claim is groundless,” Stephanopoulos said to Pence. “There’s no evidence to back it up. Is it responsible for a president-elect to make false statements like that?”

Pence responded by bringing up an unrelated 2012 Pew study on outdated voter registrations. But as RawStory points out, the study’s author “said that he found no evidence of voter fraud.” Politifact recently gave Trump a “Pants of Fire” rating for using the Pew Study as evidence of voter fraud.

“That statement is false,” Stephanopoulos declared.

“I think the president-elect just wants to call to attention the fact that there has been evidence over many years,” Pence said, stammering. “It’s certainly his right.”

“It’s his right to make false statements?” Stephanopoulos shot back.

“I think one of the things that’s refreshing about our president-elect,” Pence replied, “I think he made such an incredible connection with people all across this country because he tells you what’s on his mind.”

“But why is it refreshing to make false statements?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“I don’t know that is a false statement and neither do you,” Pence said irritably. “There is historic evidence from the Pew Research Center that voter fraud has taken place.”


 
“Can you provide any evidence to back up that statement?” the ABC host pressed.

“He’s entitled to express his opinion on that,” Pence declared. “I think the American people find it very refreshing that they have a president who will tell them what’s on his mind.”

“Whether it’s true or not,” Stephanopoulos quipped.