GOP Sen Martha McSally Calls CNN Reporter ‘Liberal Hack,’ Shuts Down Impeachment Trial Question
Manu Raju asked if she would consider new evidence as part of the Senate impeachment trial
Lindsey Ellefson | January 16, 2020 @ 8:57 AM
Last Updated: January 16, 2020 @ 9:05 AM
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Sen. Martha McSally called a CNN reporter a “liberal hack” and refused to answer his questions on Thursday, which took place in the halls of Congress. She went on Twitter later in the day to confirm and share the exchange.
“You are,” McSally wrote in response to CNN’s Manu Raju about the moment she called him a “liberal hack.” She later included a video of the encounter. Raju, the network’s senior congressional correspondent, followed up a half-hour later with the CNN video of the incident.
“Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican facing a difficult election race, lashed out when I asked if she would consider new evidence as part of the Senate trial. ‘You’re a liberal hack – I’m not talking to you. You’re a liberal hack.’ She then walked into a hearing room,” CNN’s Manu Raju tweeted initially on Thursday.
Her refusal to answer a question about the impeachment comes as the Senate prepares to begin its impeachment proceedings. Congress impeached President Donald Trump in December and sent articles of impeachment to the Senate on Wednesday. Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani accused of being involved in the attempt to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden’s son in order to boost Trump’s re-election efforts, told Rachel Maddow on Wednesday that Trump “knew exactly what was going on.” He also said more documents related to the accusations against Trump will be released.
A representative for CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on McSally’s characterization of the reporter.
Politico’s Jake Sherman commented on the interaction, calling it a “strange answer to a great reporter asking a question that literally every senator” was being asked Thursday.
Sherman also pointed out that McSally’s predecessor — the late Sen. John McCain — had a funny relationship with Raju. He pranked him in the halls of Congress a few years ago while Raju did a live report, sneaking up behind him to make a silly hand gesture as he spoke.
7 John McCain Cameos in Movies and TV, From 'Wedding Crashers' to 'SNL' to 'Parks and Rec' (Videos)
"Saturday Night Live" (2002)
In 2002, Sen. John McCain became one of the rare politicians to host the show (with musical guest the White Stripes). Though he leaned heavily on Fred Armisen in his opening monologue, McCain gamely played everyone from Attorney General John Ashcroft to Irish American author Frank McCourt in sketches.
"Saturday Night Live" (2002)
In this hilarious parody of a Lifetime movie, McCain stars as the husband of a successful CEO (Amy Poehler) who invades his wife's personal space in a way that is creepily stalkerish.
"Wedding Crashers" (2005)
McCain and Democratic strategist James Carville pop up early in this comedy to congratulate the fictional Treasury Secretary (Christopher Walken) and his wife (Jane Seymour) on the nuptials of their daughter.
"24" (2006)
McCain had a literal walk-on role in the fifth season ofthe Fox counterterrorism thriller as an unnamed CTU staffer who hands over a folder with no doubt top-secret information.
"Saturday Night Live" (May 2008)
"Jamming gay-dar is not a federal responsibility," John McCain says in a jokey campaign message on the May season finale after he sewed up the GOP nomination for president. "I have the courage, the wisdom, the experience and most importantly, the oldness it takes," he quipped.
"Saturday Night Live" (November 2018)
Just days before he lost the presidential election to Barack Obama, McCain shows up to appear with Tina Fey as his VP nominee Sarah Palin in a sketch in which they shill campaign merchandise on QVC.
"Parks and Recreation" (2012)
McCain reteams with Poehler in the first of two cameos on her NBC sitcom. Her Indiana councilwoman Leslie Knope blows him off in a coat closet in Washington, D.C. -- shortly after flubbing a meeting with two of her political idols, Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe.
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The Republican maverick was almost a Hollywood regular
"Saturday Night Live" (2002)
In 2002, Sen. John McCain became one of the rare politicians to host the show (with musical guest the White Stripes). Though he leaned heavily on Fred Armisen in his opening monologue, McCain gamely played everyone from Attorney General John Ashcroft to Irish American author Frank McCourt in sketches.
