24 August 2023 , 02:13
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Donald Trump warned the US could be heading towards civil war and possible "open conflict" as he spoke to ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson hours before his expected surrender to police.
The former president was questioned on whether he thought civil war loomed amid growing political tensions, prompting a rambling response from Trump about the "love and unity" amongst a crowd during his speech prompting the January 6 Capitol Hill riots - which saw an angry mob storm the government building.
Trump had urged the crowd to action their patriotism claiming the election had been "stolen by emboldened radical-left Democrats". In Wednesday's interview aired on Carlson X (formerly Twitter) page, the Carlson asks: "Do you think we're moving towards civil war?". Trump then replies "There's tremendous passion and there's tremendous love - January 6 was a very interesting day, but they don't report it properly. It was the largest crowd I have ever spoken before.
"People in that crowd - a very very small group of people went down there [the Capitol building] and there were a lot of scenarios you can talk about. People in that crowd said it was the most beautiful day they ever experienced. There was love and unity. I have never seen such spirit and such passion and such love and I've also never seen simultaneously and from the same people such hatred for what they've done our country."
Trump sat down with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson as he swerved the GOP debate (@TuckerCarlson)Carlson questions Trump further asking: "So do you think it's possible that there's open conflict? We seem to be moving towards something". Trump replies: "I don't know. There's a level of passion I've never seen and a level of hatred I've never seen and that's probably a bad combination". Carlson ends the interview thanking Trump before adding, "that is a bad combination".
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His interview came after confirming on Sunday he would not be participating in the GOP debate, claiming he has a sizeable lead in national polls. However the chat with ex-Fox News host Carlson comes hours before Trump is set to surrender to cops over racketeering and conspiracy charges at 7pm on Thursday - enabling cable news to capture live footage.
Trump also said last week he would not sign the Republican National Convention (RNC) loyalty pledge — one of the three requirements candidates need to meet to qualify for the debate. Ahead of tonight's interview, airing on Carlson's X profile, a short video was released in which Trump is asked a host of questions.
Trump also said last week he would not sign the Republican National Convention (RNC) loyalty pledge — one of the three requirements candidates need to meet to qualify for the debate (Getty Images)Carlson asks him why he is not attending the debate - to which Trump responds saying "a lot of people have asked him that" as edited footage shows Carlson asking him: "What happened to Mike Pence?", "Do you think Epstein killed himself?" and "Do you think we're moving towards civil war?".
In further edited responses from an attacking Trump, the 77-year-old says: " Mitch McConnell is trying to get senators to impeach me", later adding: "Crooked Joe Biden is so bad he's the worst president in the history of our country. I don't think he's going to make it to the gig but you never know."
Carlson asks Trump about the growing animosity towards him and past scandals, citing "protests, impeachments and now indictment, twice" - as Trump replies: "They are savage animals, they are people who are sick.". The scheduled interview is also thought to be aimed at throttling debate hosts Fox News' traffic, with Trump touching on the issue saying: "We're doing this interview but we'll get bigger ratings on this crazy platform you're using than probably the debate."
Former New York City Mayor and attorney of former US President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani's mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office (FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE/A)The interview is not live, but is being seen as Trump's attempt to pull attention away from his primary challengers on the debate stage as well as a slight to Fox News, with whom Trump has had a tumultuous relationship with for months. It also aired hours after Trump's former lawyer and ex-New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani's mugshot was released after his surrender in the Donald Trump Georgia 2020 election case as the ex-US President and 18 allies face charges over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia.
The nearly 100-page indictment details dozens of acts by the group to undo Trump’s defeat to Joe Biden. Trump, who is running for re-election to the White House next year, is charged with racketeering that carries up to 20 years in prison. This afternoon Fulton County Sheriff’s Office released Rudy Giuliani's mug shot following his surrender earlier today.
Bond was set at $100,000 for Jenna Ellis, an attorney who prosecutors say was involved in efforts to convince state lawmakers to unlawfully appoint presidential electors (AP)In brief comments to reporters after his booking, former New York City mayor Giuliani said he had spoken with Trump today, announcing: "I talked to the president today. I wish him well. I have every confidence in him". He laughed when asked if he regretted allying with Trump.
Other high-profile defendants also surrendered on Wednesday, including Jenna Ellis, a lawyer who prosecutors say was involved in efforts to convince state lawmakers to unlawfully appoint presidential electors, and lawyer Sidney Powell, accused of making false statements about the election in Georgia and helping to organise a breach of voting equipment in rural Coffee County.
Eastman was booked at the jail and is expected to have an arraignment set in the coming weeks in the sprawling racketeering case (AP)On Tuesday, John Eastman, the conservative attorney who pushed a plan to keep Trump in power, handed himself in to authorities this week. His appearance came as Trump, whose bond was set on Monday at $200,000 (£157,000), said he will surrender to authorities in Fulton County Jail, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday. He is expected to have his mugshot taken.
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Eastman was booked at the jail and is expected to have an arraignment set in the coming weeks in the sprawling racketeering case. He was indicted last week alongside Trump and 18 others, who are accused by District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters following Joe Biden's victory over Trump in 2020.