Former President Donald Trump's camp on Thursday acknowledged he talked about Milwaukee's "terrible crime and voter fraud." But don't tell that to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who later said it never happened.
Trump reportedly told a group of Republican lawmakers that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a "horrible city," sending Republicans into overdrive to deflect and even deny his comments.
One of those people: Controversial spokesman, Steven Cheung, who fiercely denied that Trump made the comment, as reported by Punchbowl News, with reporter Jake Sherman confirming the former president "absolutely" made the remarks.
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"Wrong. Total bulls---" Cheung said. "He never said it like how it’s been falsely characterized as. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are."
Trump himself acknowledged on Fox News he talked about the city, which is hosting the Republican National Convention this year.
"I think it was very clear what I meant," he said. "I said we were 'very concerned with crime.'"
But Johnson said he heard no such thing despite being in close proximity to the former president.
Appearing on Fox News's Hannity on Thursday night, host Sean Hannity asked the House Speaker whether Trump "took a shot at Milwaukee."
"No. I didn't hear it and I was sitting right next to him," Johnson replied.
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Social media thrashed Johnson's statement, with some calling him a liar and even a bad Christian.
"He heard it. And now he's lying. It's that simple, folks. All these Republicans are lying for Trump. Nonstop," wrote @MonitorFake.
"Mike was too busy having January 6 flashbacks," wrote @franklinisbored.
He says he “didn’t hear it”, but he doesn’t say Trump didn’t say it. This guy is a slimy liar," replied @tbailey1976.
"I wonder if he needs to go to confession every night. Such a good Christian," wrote @pleolleo.