‘I got your back’: Byron Donalds squares off against packed CNN panel post-Trump town hall
GOFFSTOWN, N.H. (FLV) – After CNN’s town hall with former President Donald Trump, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., took on a packed commentary panel in defense of 2024 presidential candidate.
The panel was moderated by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and featured other frequent Trump critics like commentator Van Jones.
Donalds was frequently arguing with several of the panel members at once.
“I’ve got your back, Mr. President,” Donalds tweeted around midnight. “We need President Trump back in the White House. Enough is enough.”
Donalds faced heat on Trump’s rhetoric questioning the validity or legality of the 2020 election results, along with the events on Jan. 6, 2021, to which the Florida congressman replied, “CNN’s top issues aren’t America’s.”
“Everything that was just talked about is not on the minds of independent voters in America,” he said.
He pointed to issues like getting back to normal post-coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, fentanyl dealing, a porous border, affordability and the economy, and more.
“The American people aren’t speaking about the 2020 election, a liable case after 25+ years, or January 6th,” he said.
The Southwest Florida-based representative also touched on Trumps’ comments with respect to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which focused on reaching a peace agreement rather than “victory” on either side.
“I don’t think in terms of winning and losing. I think in terms of getting it settled so we stop killing all these people,” Trump said.
Donalds sparred with Van Jones: “He did not say he was just going to give over Ukraine the way – you intimate, Van.”
“What he said was that he would actually look for a solution to end it quickly,” he continued.
“The same network that claimed Trump was a Russian spy is the same network that said tonight that Trump wants to ‘hand over Ukraine to Russia,'” Donalds tweeted. “This is irresponsible, and I’m glad I could correct the record.”
Donalds endorsed Trump for president earlier in April.
He appeared with Trump in Fort Myers, Florida in late-April, visiting a locally famous pizza place.
