Pete Buttgieg completely won over the room during a town hall hosted by Chris Wallace on Fox News last night.
Prior to Mayor Pete’s appearance, Donald Trump took to Twitter to slam the network for “wasting airtime” on the out gay candidate.
Hard to believe that @FoxNews is wasting airtime on Mayor Pete, as Chris Wallace likes to call him. Fox is moving more and more to the losing (wrong) side in covering the Dems. They got dumped from the Democrats boring debates, and they just want in. They forgot the people…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019
….who got them there. Chris Wallace said, “I actually think, whether you like his opinions or not, that Mayor Pete has a lot of substance…fascinating biography.” Gee, he never speaks well of me – I like Mike Wallace better…and Alfred E. Newman will never be President!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019
Asked by Wallace about what he thinks of Trump’s tweets, Buttigieg simply responded: “I don’t care.” To which the audience responded with thunderous applause.
“It is a very effective way to command the attention of the media,” he continued. “We need to make sure we are changing the channel.”
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The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend added that, at times, it’s hard to look away from the outrageous things Trump says and does, admitting, “It is the nature of grotesque things that you can’t look away.”
We have to make it less about him and more about what matters. That's the best way to defeat him. pic.twitter.com/2PxuncQ6bW
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 20, 2019
When asked by Wallace about his stance on abortion and the onslaught of attacks on women’s rights happening in several states at the moment, Buttigieg said he’s confident women can make their own decisions without the government’s input.
“I trust women to draw the line when it is their own body,” he said. “I believe that the right of a woman to make her own decisions about her own reproductive health and her own body is a national right, I believe it is an American freedom.”
Once again, the response was met with loud applause.
I believe that the right of a woman to make her own decisions about her reproductive health and about her body is a national right. I believe it is an American freedom that should be enjoyed by women in every state. The next president needs to be ready to protect those rights. pic.twitter.com/NM5IJkO9GO
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 20, 2019
Of course, Buttigieg couldn’t appear on the conservative cable network and not take a swipe at two of its most high profile propagandists who regularly attack him on their shows: Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham.
“You know a lot of folks in my party were critical of me even doing this with Fox News,” he said, “and I get where that’s coming from, especially when you see what goes on with some of the opinion hosts on this network.”
He continued, “I mean, when you got Tucker Carlson saying that immigrants make American dirty. When you got Laura Ingraham comparing detention centers with children in cages to summer camps—summer camps—then there is a reason why anyone has to swallow hard and think twice before participating in this media ecosystem.”
“But I also believe that even though some of those hosts are not always there in good faith, I think a lot of people tune into this network who do it in good faith.”
Even though some of these hosts are not always there in good faith, I think a lot of people tune into this network in good faith.
Whether it’s going on Fox or going into places where Democrats haven’t been seen much, we have to find people where they are–not change our values. pic.twitter.com/xNHoD0uzE4
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 20, 2019
Related: Surprise, surprise: Trump can barely pronounce Pete Buttigieg’s name
Xzamilloh
Gotcha… Bernie Sanders leads the way and does a Fox News Town Hall and liberal media couldn’t sink their fangs into fast enough.
Buttigieg goes and gets softball questions and SLAY!!! Yassssss!!!
Vince
I don’t think the abortion question posed on a Fox townhall is a “softball question”. Lol
Xzamilloh
Yeah it is… when you see the majority of America on the side of pro-choice (as evident by the reaction of the crowd), no I don’t think that question is relatively a hard one to answer.
I just take issue with how Bernie Sanders was condemned and blasted for accepting a Town Hall from Fox News but suddenly, heaps of praise on Pete Buttigieg for doing it. I don’t even think Queerty has even covered Bernie Sanders, even though he’s been on the right side of LGBT rights for decades
lord.krath
Bernie is about as tired as Biden. I love them both, but the past is not the future. They had their decades to make a difference and to run for office. We need cool, calm, and collected. [Focused] anger and established bipartisan attitudes are definitely things that can benefit Democrats on Capital Hill, but they alone won’t cut it in this atmosphere. Also, though the field of candidates is going to be quite large and potentially dangerous, I think this selection provides the countries liberals a real chance to think about what they want. Most democratic candidates are going to be supporting the same things, that is what the party platform does, but there will be nuanced positions and personalities that can make a difference in how that support is delivered in the end. The real test is whether the liberal community can coalesce around the party’s candidate when the general election comes around. Does the community really care about change and unseating this fool of a president, or do they want more of the my-way-or-the-highway politics?
maxlovesrio
I can’t forget that so many of Bernie’s followers back in 2016 would not support Hillary after the primary was over and stayed home rather than go out to vote for her during the election. Some of my own friends said they could not vote for Hillary. If they had, then we probably would not have a president Trump right now. As far as I’m concerned, I would never vote for Bernie because of that. Anybody but Trump or Bernie is good enough for me.
BigJohnSF
I don’t recall seeing any attacks on Bernie for doing a Fox News Town Hall, but don’t let reality prevent you from playing the victim.
alterego1980
X, you are completely right. The democratic machine has and will continue to exclude Bernie because he refuses to play by their rules. He is also much more principled than most other politicians…except maybe Mayor Pete?? Living in NJ, my primary vote really doesn’t matter, but it feels so good to have a strong gay candidate in this race. I supported Bernie in ‘16, and I could get excited about either candidate, as well as Warren, for the genre election.
geb1966
You forget, dear…Bernie is not really a Democrat. He is, in reality, an independent candidate. He only wants the Democratic nomination because he knows he wouldn’t stand chance. So, explain to me why I should support a candidate who is just using the party name because he is to weak to run on his own. .
OzJosh
I does address the argument for doing Fox in the discussion – and what he says makes perfect sense.
Hermes
We love Bernie, but we will, without question, vote for anyone who wins the Democratic primary. Another 4 years would probably allow Trump to destroy the American Republic, I think its better than even odds. We love Bernie, we love Mayor Pete, and I worked on Senator Gillibrand’s House AND Senate campaigns as a volunteer – but ANY Democratic candidate, ANY Democratic candidate, period.
Cam
If I ever see Bernie Sanders supporters attack Republicans with half the venom they attack democrats with I may pass out from shock.
Xzamilloh
Never cease to amaze me, comment section on Queerty
Whether it’s Geb with his BS of “He’s not really a Democrat” as if A. We don’t already know that. B. He routinely caucuses with Democrats and C. JOE MANCHIN who is a Democrat votes over 60% with Republicans and Trump, but don’t hear squat about that
Or BigJohn with his willful ignorance about Bernie Sanders not getting attacked from the Left for doing Fox News when a simple Google search would shut you up, or looking at Elizabeth Warren’s thinly veiled jab at Sanders in her declining Fox News
Or Cam with his constant “I wish Bernie Bros were as tough on Trump as they are on Dems”. Well we are…. and I wish YOU were as tough on establishment centrists are you are on progressives
Or MaxLoversRio and his revisionist history concerning the election… guess what, Max? More Bernie Sanders supporters voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 than Hillary Clinton supporters voted for Obama in 2008. So you tell me who are the really salty ones
Or Lord. Krath and his stupid “Bernie Sanders is not the future.” Bernie Sanders, the crusty old man, has more millennial support than any other candidate running, so if that’s not future enough for you, then stay dumb.
These are the dumbest arguments against progress I have ever heard and it’s a crying shame that you’d rather this country burn to the ground because you’re still bitter over an election that was gift wrapped for an awful candidate that STILL managed to lose to a bumbling idiot.
Tombear
I like what Buttigieg says and I really like what he says he is going to fight for the rights of GLBT people. I’ll probably vote for him. Anyone is better then Trump.
Vince
I do too and the fact that he’s been on Fox News and now is a great thing. As far as a democrat goes he also has to reach out to the black community too but not sure how that’s going to work since it’s pretty homophobic right now. Then again even Bernie failed to make it there too.
David Myers
Vince: Yes the black community has had a lot of homophobia in the past . . . and still does . . . but I think it is in the process of changing . . . for the better. More and more people of all minorities are starting to see how we are all in this together . . . fighting for universal human rights and against the neo-fascists of the Trump party who want to attack the rights of everyone other than white christian males. We’re all part of the resistance . . . and we need each other to stop the fascists. An attack on the rights of any group of people is an attack on the rights of all people!
ingyaom
What a lot of people don’t know is that only about 3 million people are watching F0X N?ws – on a good night – and that’s not news, that’s that H@nnity guy (which is less than 1% of the population), so there aren’t a lot of votes there … but good for Pete for showing up.
Xzamilloh
There weren’t a lot of votes that gave Trump the EC, so yeah, it stands to reason that the rust belt that bought Trump’s fake populism needs to hear a candidate that isn’t a cookie cutter establishment Democrat that will stampede all over them like Trump is doing but with a better vocabulary
Brian
What you don’t seem to realize is that it’s not only the audience who watches Fox News who hears what he has to say. Millions more get it through stories like this one.
truthseeker
@ingyaom
Based on that logic, where should he have showed up? CNN? CNN gets lower ratings than Nickelodeon shows or re-runs of I Love Lucy. Whether you like it or not, FOX News is the #1 rated cable news network on TV.
Hermes
The three Rust Belt States that gave Trump the election did so by about 70,000 votes total between them out of more than 10 million cast as memory serves. So that 1% matters, A LOT. Even 2% of the audience that the townhall drew (which is what some wags are claiming might actually switch their vote) would have given us two of the three states (MI and WI – PA had the largest margin – and he probably would have still squeaked it out.)
Jared MacBride
I can’t support him. Anyone who even thinks about a religious exemption on inoculations for children, thinks we should expunge Thomas Jefferson from our culture and has a baby to his mama’s teat relationship with the most elitist of organized religions is not the person for me.
GentlemanCaller
Nice job spreading fake Laura Ingraham talking points wherever possible. He’s been very clear on not supporting religious exemptions, and never said (never said) we should expunge Jefferson–though he was clear about reexamining our heroes as full humans, warts and all, in his conversation with Hugh Hewitt, which is where you and Laura are plucking this nonsense. You’re either a trumpist or a berniac (it’s often hard to tell them apart), and a troll in any case. Go back to your basement and fuss, honey.
Jared MacBride
Who or what is a Laura Ingraham? Truth is “Gentleman Caller” little Petey has been very good at talking about of both sides of his mouth on these and other “issues.” Learn to recognize con artists when you see them.
Chrisk
Wow. Thanks for the spin from Fox news. I don’t see anywhere where he talked about expunging Thomas Jefferson from the record. I see no problem with an honest debate about the man. I’m also fine with him being a Christian as long as none of those views are forced on anybody else.
ShiningSex
ANYONE HOMO WHO SUPPORTS ANY GROUP THAT IS ANTI-LGBT IS STUPID
mike_TNYC
“The most elitist of organized religions?!?”. What is your IQ, anyway? Buttigieg is an Episcopalian, just like me and millions of other LGBT people. It’s the most progressive of Christian churches, had gay marriages I think before anyone else, and does s a great deal to help the disadvantaged, especially LGBT youth. Anyone who feels totally turned off by Christianity (I did, once) should try the Episcopal Church.
DeaconMac
Jared, anyone who posts a 4-line paragraph and manages to squeeze 3 separate lies into it is probably not really interested in the election but just needs to justify his payments from Putin.
Hermes
He never supported an exemption. Yes, he is an elite – and you think a BILLIONAIRE named Trump isn’t an elite? Who are you trying to kid? Are you a troll and not a real person? Yes, the Episcopal Church is an elite church (best educated Christian denomination, clergy have at least an earned Masters degree, etc.) It is also fully in support of gay rights, and was performing gay marriages in many places before they were legal. His most gracious eminence, the Right Reverend John Shelby Spong was performing them in the Cathedral in Newark when Whitman was governor of NJ and threatening to send in the police and have him arrested. His response “Tell me in advance and I will hold the wedding in the front of the Cathedral so her Jack Booted Thugs do not set foot on our high altar” – I think you have the wrong values if you think that somehow Mayor Pete is not a good candidate because he’s religious in a liberal denomination and wasn’t born in poverty.
Cam
And your check from Rupert Murdoch is in the mail.
ShiningSex
ANYONE WHO IS GAY AND LIKES TRUMP HAS SOME SELF LOATHING ISSUES. WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF A RACIST, HOMOPHOBIC, SEXIST GROUP OF PEOPLE??? YOU NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP.
xanadude
While the fact that Pete is gay is important, what he has to say is more important, as is the fact that we need a stronger leader that is in touch with reality and the times. Sorry if it sounds ageist, but face it, the older generation has no idea how to handle the problems of today, especially when they are stuck in their limited experience and views on the matters. I understand, it was they way they were brought up and what they believe, but we are in a whole new world and need someone who understands that.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
He has many in the far right scared thitless. He had the common sense to appear on Fox and show that he is articulate, intelligent, and is very adept at being able to having people give him a good look. He gave it right back to that abhorrent crunt Ingrham and her distorting his words.
It may be a little too soon for him to become the nominee. But he may be to be the youthful, intelligent veteran VP pick for Biden….
fur_hunter
I swear this young man is totally on the ball. Smart, intelligent, answers with respectable and responsible answers, knows what the is talking about because he KNOWS the TRUE facts and not FAKE NEWS FACTS. I hold a candle to him for being out there for America and especially letting America see that gay people are not all jumping around in pink tutus, wearing high heels like so many Americans picture ALL of us.
bobnla
Graham Gremore leads the charge for Mayor Pete, a queer man who happens to be a likable far-leftist…and bright, intelligent, articulate; kills Fox News I don’t think so just by attacking Tucker and Laura, where as a Republican critical of CNN’s Brian Stelter, Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo would be vilified. Pete’s platform is way left, includes Medicare for all including ILLEGALS which would be destructive to the program; free college; open borders; raise taxes; and blind dedication to diversity, inclusion and equality forgetting the role of quality. Get real guys, and you too Graham, a wolf in sheep’s clothes. He is an articulate LEFTIST, the dangerous kind that would woo the electorate like flies to s–t. I vote ‘NO”
geb1966
Speaking of shit…you’re full of it
Chrisk
Oh noes. A leftist. That’s worst thing I’ve ever heard. Lol
Go away uncle tom or bob. Effing traitor.
Xzamilloh
You are so full of crap. Buttigieg is as far left as Obama was, meaning NOT AT ALL.
Kangol2
If you think Mayor Pete is a “far-leftist,” you’ve been mainlining the crack of FauxNews for waaaaay too long! In the current Democratic field, Elizabeth Warren (she’d get my vote), Andrew Yang (same), Bernie Sanders (same), etc., are on the left end of things. Mayor Pete is liberal, but he is not “far left” by any measure. The reality is that majorities of Americans actually support the “far left” ideas that have FauxNews fanatics screeching, so higher federal marginal tax rates on the superrich and equalized taxes on capital gains; greater social and economic equality and cultural diversity; and Medicare for All (or better yet, Single Payer, affordable health care) are all political winners. Let’s not forget, your beloved DRUMPF lost by roughly 3 million popular votes, and needed foreign help to “throw” the election to him, as Drumpf campaign official K. T. McFarland admitted in a rare moment of candor (i.e., when she wasn’t lying to the FBI–cf. Mueller Report, Part 1, p. 142, etc.)
Hermes
I’m sorry – do Americans have any real idea where Overton’s window is internationally? I read screeds like this and think – so – they have no idea what the Left is, they think centrists with a conscience are the Left, and they really, really don’t know better.
1. We are the ONLY developed country without some form of Universal Health care. Some have dual systems, but it is telling that in the UK – where you can have private, less than 10% choose it – and generally hospitals without NHS supervision end up being rated WORSE than NHS supervised ones – even after a decade of the Tories doing what they can to defund the NHS. We have dropped from first in life expectancy when I was born to 26th in life expectancy now, despite spending FAR more on health care than any of those above us. We also have less satisfaction with our medical care than most of them. This means our system is at fault – logic tells you that. Login also tells you that their systems are working better than ours and has better results. Costs would actually go down for health care – which results from the elimination of private sector and investor profit. Quality would remain – and that would be with substantial additional investments in research by the NIH.
2. Free college? You mean, again, like most first world countries offer? Those countries that are one after another passing us in productivity, standards of living, education, and if Trump gets his way, freedom?
3. Open Borders – I have not heard Mayor Pete speak in support of Open Borders. I need a citation on that so I can actually find it and listen to the context – or of course discover you are lying outright, and repeating a false talking point.
4. Raising taxes (on the wealthy – which of course you didn’t include). America’s most wondrous time for most Americans – the 50s – remembered with nostalgia by those who are old enough (I’m not) and certainly the time that the middle class was strongest – had a humming economy that continued for that decade and much of the next – near zero unemployment and so forth — Highest marginal tax rate? 91% You read that right, 91% – don’t tell me that high taxes (using margins – do you understand how progressive taxation works, or are you one of those that assumes that a higher tax bracket effects ALL of your earnings, rather than only those in that bracket [which is reality]?) harms growth are proved wrong by those years. The first man to drop the highest rate below 70% was Nixon, and he dropped it to 71% Only with it Reagan did it drop into the 30s and now its down to what… 15% in many or most cases? Higher taxes support a government that isn’t bleeding red ink by the trillions every year but still has strong defense, decent infrastructure – and yes, things like Universal Health care and free college so our youth are not drowning in debt and unable to really start their own lives.
5. “Blind dedication to diversity…” I’m not even sure what your point is here. Are you a fan of the “Bell Curve” or similar nonsense? I have no idea. I don’t know your point so answering it is impossible.
Mayor Pete is a centrist with a conscience – what America often thinks of as a liberal, some of us on the actual Left consider Center Left (out of respect for the American system which calls this present effort at Fascism “Conservative” rather than Far Right) He is not a Leftist. Trust me I am a Leftist (and technically to you I guess a class traitor as well – but I am proud to put the needs of everyone ahead of my own wants.)
Regards.
JED08
Personally, I love Pete and I am currently supporting him. I will vote in my primary like everyone else and have my say, and then I will get my ass behind whichever candidate wins the Democratic nomination and do everything that I can to help that person take back the white house.
GayEGO
I don’t view Fox News but I am glad Pete has gone on Fox News to smack Trump at the town hall. Trump is such a disrespectable moron and he needs to be removed from office pronto!