Sources allegedly tell New York Times correspondent Maggie Haberman that Donald Trump is, in fact, willing to testify before the January 6 committee investigating the riot at the Capitol.
If, that is, they meet one specific condition.
The committee voted unanimously Thursday to subpoena the former President during what is widely believed to be the final public hearing before the midterms.
A column in the Times declared the subpoena vote to be the hearing’s “biggest surprise” despite it being very unlikely anybody batted an eyelash when they heard the news.
“Since it became public that the House select committee planned to subpoena Trump for his testimony, the former president has been telling aides he favors doing so, so long as he gets to do so live, according to a person familiar with his discussions,” wrote correspondent Michael Schmidt.
w/reporting from @maggieNYT that Trump, in response to the subpoena, has told aides he wants to testify so long as he gets to do it live…https://t.co/pXKrS45iLJ
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) October 13, 2022
RELATED: Trump Slams ‘Laughing Stock’ January 6 Committee as They Unanimously Vote to Subpoena Him
Will Trump Testify Before the January 6 Committee?
Times correspondent Maggie Haberman further promoted the angle during an appearance on “CNN Tonight” with Jake Tapper.
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“In terms of the subpoena, for him, that is actually one of the things that has animated him,” Haberman said. “He’s been talking to advisers about how, you know, he would consider testifying if they would air it live, which is also not surprising.”
She added, “It seems hard to imagine the committee would go for that.”
Let the fireworks begin, we say. Trump would have a field day with that gaggle of inept ‘Never Trumpers.’
Though he should consider adding further stipulations. A bald eagle sitting on the table while he testifies perhaps? Breaks in which he eats taco bowls and declares his love of Hispanics? A bottle of water nearby at the ready labeled ‘Kinzinger’s tears’?
Trump wants to testify before the J6 committee — but only if they broadcast his testimony live: NYT https://t.co/DQhGBV6CM1
— Raw Story (@RawStory) October 13, 2022
Trump shared a Fox News report on his Truth Social media platform suggesting he is enamored with the idea of testifying before the January 6 select committee.
A source close to the former President claims he “loves the idea of testifying.”
Haberman went on to insinuate at least one of the former President’s lawyers is entertaining the idea of having him testify before the committee.
“At least one of his lawyers was sounding people out about the idea today of him — of him testifying and agreeing to it as long as the committee would let him do it live,” she said. “And so I certainly don’t think they’re all shutting him down.”
Former President Donald Trump has been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee. Will he actually show up? @danabrams discusses with legal analysts @BradMossEsq and @RosenzweigP.#DanAbramsLive pic.twitter.com/RS9VBXjXrW
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) October 14, 2022
RELATED: New Video Shows Nancy Pelosi Threatening to Punch Trump If He Marches to the Capitol
Trump Sends Fiery Letter to Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson
Donald Trump vowed to respond to the committee’s vote to subpoena him by early this morning, and he did not disappoint.
Trump made public a letter to Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chair of the select committee, in which he excoriated the panel for failing to investigate election fraud.
“This memo is being written to express our anger, disappointment, and complaint … with all of the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on what many consider to be a Charade and Witch Hunt,” Trump wrote in the 14-page letter.
“Despite strong and powerful requests, you have not spent even a short moment on examining the massive Election Fraud that took place during the 2020 Presidential Election.”
Trump doesn’t mention the subpoena specifically or whether he would comply and testify, but he does state that “at your request” he’d be willing to present additional numbers involving his fraud claims.
The source for Fox News indicated the possible 2024 GOP nominee for President would love to testify so he could “talk about how corrupt the election was” and “how corrupt the committee was.”
Will the committee have the spine to take Trump up on his offer and air his testimony live?
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