‘Absolute Flamethrower’: Kari Lake issues direct response to hostile reporter on 2020 election

GOP Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake Thursday issued what some are calling a “flamethrower response” to a hostile reporter who challenged Lake on her views about the 2020 election. 

In a press conference outside her campaign headquarters, Lake slammed Joe Biden for his historically divisive speech on Thursday in which he effectively declared Trump supporters enemies of the republic while flanked by the military against a blood-red backdrop. 

One unnamed reporter felt it appropriate to bring the focus back on President Trump, suggesting that he is more divisive than Biden for questioning the 2020 election. 

“You said you feel like Joe Biden is dividing the country, but do you feel like Donald Trump is doing the same by falsely telling people that he won that election when he lost it?” the man challenged. 

“How is that dividing the country?” Lake shot back. “Questioning an election where there are obviously problems is dividing the country?” 

“Since when can we not ask questions about our elections?” the Trump-endorsed candidate pressed on. “As a journalist for many years, I was a journalist after 2016 and I distinctly remember many people, just like you, asking a lot of questions about the 2016 election results, and nobody tried to shut you up.” 

In 2019, Hillary Clinton demanded stronger election integrity after accusing Trump of stealing the election with Russia’s help, a claim amplified and cheered by mainstream media. 

“I don’t see how asking questions about an election where there were many problems is dividing a country,” Lake explained. “What I do see dividing a country is shutting people down, censoring people, canceling people, trying to destroy people’s lives when they do ask questions.” 

Unlike those who contested the 2016 election, those who question the 2020 election results on social media are subject to immediate suspension by Facebook and Twitter. 

America’s Frontline News reported last week that CNN’s Jim Acosta began insulting his guest, former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, when Wolf suggested that elections need to be more secure. 

“Last I heard, we still have the Constitution. It’s hanging by a thread thanks to some of the work some people in this area have done. But we’re going to save that Constitution and we’re going to bring back freedom of speech. And maybe someday you’ll thank us for that,” Lake concluded. 

Lake is well-known for her disdain for mainstream journalists and acerbic responses to reporters. 

In June, Lake taunted a CNN reporter who tried to interview the gubernatorial hopeful outside a campaign event.  

“Hi, Kari, nice to see you. Kyung Lah from CNN,” the reporter introduced herself, offering her hand.  

“You don’t have a mask on anymore, what’s going on?” Lake taunted as she shook Lah’s hand. CNN has been known for its vociferous support for mask mandates, shaming those who choose not to wear them even as its reporters flout COVID rules.  

“Well, we’re outside,” Lah replied, smiling. “Do you have a minute to chat?”  

“We’re six feet apart,” Lake interjected, and Lah asked again, “Do you have a minute to chat?”   

“Um, I’ll do an interview,” Lake said, but added: “As long as it airs on CNN+. Does that still exist?”  

“Ah, no,” Lah replied.  

CNN+ was a subscription-based streaming service the network rolled out in March with great fanfare, even snagging then-Fox News anchor Chris Wallace. But three weeks after launch, the network was humiliated when it was forced to abandon the program at a $300 million loss.  

Lake went on to mock CNN. “I didn’t think so, because the people don’t like what you guys are peddling, which is propaganda. Thank you,” she said to laughter before she walked away, leaving the reporter speechless. 

Lake became particularly popular after a volatile interview in March on 60 Minutes in which she walked off the set after calling pro-mandate host Liam Bartlett “comical”, “a joke,” and saying he makes “some of the crazy reporters and people at CNN look almost respectable.”