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LeadershipDonald Trump

Watch Jake Tapper Call Out President Trump on Leaks and Conspiracy Theories

By
Julia Zorthian
Julia Zorthian
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By
Julia Zorthian
Julia Zorthian
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February 16, 2017, 10:29 AM ET

CNN’s Jake Tapper has a response to President Trump blaming “leaks” and “the fake media” for conspiracy theories that led to National Security Advisor Mike Flynn’s resignation: A video showing Trump’s own history with leaks and conspiracy theories.

After he asked for Flynn’s resignation on Monday, Trump claimed Wednesday that reports about Flynn lying to Vice President Mike Pence about conversations with Russian diplomats during President Obama’s term were part of conspiracy theories. Tapper retorted on CNN Wednesday that the reports were all well-sourced and confirmed, and explained what he said conspiracy theories actually are.

“They’re false, they’re crackpot, they’re nonsense,” Tapper said. “How do I illustrate what a conspiracy theory is?” He then played two clips: one of Trump claiming that Ted Cruz’s father was involved in John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and another where he said President Obama needed to prove he was born in the United States.

“Those are conspiracy theories,” Tapper said. He also discussed how, despite Trump’s speaking against “leaks” that led to him asking for Flynn’s resignation, his candidacy was buffered along by leaks aimed to expose Hillary Clinton.

Watch the full clip above.

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By Julia Zorthian
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