Rep. Donalds Accuses CNN of Misrepresenting Trump’s Border Comments

In a fiery interview with CNN on Thursday, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) clashed with CNN host John Berman over the network’s portrayal of former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about protecting women in the context of the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. Donalds argued that CNN selectively edited Trump’s statements, claiming this misled viewers and ignored the broader message on border security and crime.

The interview escalated when Berman played a short clip in which Trump stated, “I’m going to protect women whether they like it or not.” The snippet, according to Donalds, was part of a broader narrative about the dangers he believes women face due to rising crime linked to illegal immigration. Donalds insisted the edited clip stripped Trump’s comments of their intended meaning. “John, that is grossly inaccurate. Play the full clip in context,” he demanded.

The clip in question features Trump saying he would act as a “protector” of women, despite some women reportedly objecting to his tone. According to Donalds, Trump was referencing the tragic case of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old who was allegedly murdered by an undocumented immigrant. Nungaray’s mother has since endorsed Trump, attributing her daughter’s death to immigration policies she believes would have been avoided if Trump were in office. Donalds contended that Trump’s comments were an earnest promise to prioritize women and children’s safety in a time of high-profile crimes linked to border security.

Trump: I told women I will be their protector. They said, ‘Sir, please don’t say that.’ Well I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not pic.twitter.com/LLWFa2NtQr

— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 31, 2024

Following Donalds’s rebuttal, Berman defended CNN’s portrayal, arguing that their coverage was accurate. “Congressman, you just explained the context. His advisers were telling him not to use that language, that maybe it wouldn’t resonate well,” Berman responded. He also referenced criticism from former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who questioned whether Trump’s rhetoric would appeal to female voters.

Donalds countered by emphasizing real-world tragedies linked to border policy, referencing the deaths of Jocelyn Nungaray, nursing student Laken Riley, and Rachel Morin. He cited these cases as evidence of the security failures he attributes to the Biden administration’s border policies. Donalds alleged that CNN’s coverage underplayed the importance of Trump’s message and used selective editing to portray him as insensitive. “This is why Americans are frustrated with the media,” Donalds said. “You guys play games, take things out of context, and avoid the bigger issue.”

Donalds further asserted that Trump’s pledge to protect women and children was tied directly to his stance on border security. He argued that the Biden-Harris administration’s policies allow unchecked entry of migrants, posing a significant risk to American citizens. “Donald Trump is going to protect women in our country,” Donalds said, “because Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have refused to protect the women of our country.”

LIE: Trump said he would take women’s rights away whether they like it or not.

TRUTH: Trump was talking about protecting Americans from the criminals that Kamala let in our country.

We have the full context.

Here is the number of criminals, based on their crime, that Kamala… pic.twitter.com/BjrVjjBvI4

— KamalaHQLies (@KamalaHQLies) October 31, 2024

The tension over the portrayal of Trump’s comments is part of a broader debate over immigration policy and its perceived impacts on crime and security. The Department of Homeland Security’s current policies allow certain migrants to be released on “parole” for humanitarian reasons. But many conservative leaders, including Donalds, believe this approach compromises public safety.

Customs and Border Protection data show that border encounters have surpassed two million annually for the past three fiscal years, a marked increase from Trump’s tenure. According to Donalds, this surge has led to a rise in criminal activity, creating a crisis that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. He argued that Trump’s approach would prioritize safety by implementing stricter immigration controls.

The rally where Trump made the comments saw him reiterate his intention to defend Americans, particularly women and children, who he argues are vulnerable due to the current immigration system. He claimed his advisers warned him that some people might misinterpret his language, but he stressed his commitment to this message regardless. “He’s going to protect the women of our country,” Donalds said, adding that Trump would prioritize security to prevent crimes allegedly linked to illegal immigration.

This dispute over media coverage reflects the broader dynamics in the 2024 presidential election, where immigration policy and public safety remain focal issues. Republican candidates, including Trump, have emphasized stricter measures to limit illegal immigration, framing it as a matter of national security and public safety. Conversely, Democratic leaders, including Biden and Harris, have endorsed more balanced immigration policies they believe better address humanitarian concerns without compromising security.

Paired with recent criticism from within the GOP, the exchange between Donalds and CNN highlights a broader strategy among Trump’s supporters to refocus campaign conversations on issues like border control and crime prevention. By critiquing the media’s portrayal of Trump’s rhetoric, allies like Donalds seek to counter narratives they argue misrepresent Trump’s policy priorities.

Donalds closed by urging media outlets to present Trump’s comments in full, rather than snippets he claims misrepresent their meaning. He called for a more accurate portrayal of Trump’s stance on border security, maintaining that the former president’s comments should be understood within the broader context of his concerns about crime and immigration.

Whether the interview will sway public opinion remains uncertain, but the incident has drawn attention to the role of media in shaping public perceptions of policy issues at a time when immigration remains at the forefront of national discourse.