‘It’s not true’: ABC host interrupts top Vance rep over pet-eating allegations

ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz interrupted a top aide for Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance on Sunday after he refused to deny false claims that Haitians eat pets in Springfield, Ohio.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who is helping Vance prepare for the vice presidential debate by playing the role of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, appeared on ABC This week Program.

“Trump called Kamala Harris mentally disabled last night,” Raddatz noted. “He said that this is how Joe Biden turned out, that she was born this way. Do you think Kamala Harris is mentally disabled? Do you approve of this kind of language?”

“I think Kamala Harris is the wrong choice for America,” Emmer said. “I think Kamala Harris is actually as bad or worse than the administration we’ve had over the last four years, Martha.”

“Congressman, do you agree with this language?” The host interrupted him. “Do you agree with this language, that Donald Trump is calling her mentally retarded, mentally retarded?”

“I think we should stick to the themes,” Emmer admitted.

Raddatz moved on to the topic of immigration.

“I can’t believe we’re still talking about this, but Vance and Trump’s baseless claims that Haitian migrants ate their pets,” the host said. “If the debate moderators ask Vance about this, should he finally clarify that it’s not true?”

“This is such a distraction,” Emmer deflected. “People in the mainstream media want to put up these shiny objects to distract people from what they see every day.”

“Congresswoman!” shouted Raddatz. “Vance and Trump have spoken about this issue. You brought it up.”

“You have to concentrate on the issues,” said Emmer. “They will focus on the issues. The problems are very clear.”

Emmer declined to say that Vance’s claims about Haitians eating pets were false.