A Republican's attempt to brush off a controversial comment Donald Trump made over the weekend spurred a torrent of laughter from a political analyst.
Lance Trover, Gov. Doug Burgum's (R-ND) former campaign spokesperson, failed to impress political commentator Bakari Sellers with his justification of Trump's message to Christians that "they won't have to vote anymore" should the former president return to the White House.
"I think it's a day that ends in 'y' and we're having a discussion about something Donald Trump said at a rally," Trover said. "Look, this is Donald Trump, it's what he does, it's no big deal."
Sellers erupted into laughter then pounced on several arguments Trover made on air, including that it was pointless for Vice President Kamala Harris to attack Trump's running mate, Sen. J. D. Vance (R-OH).
"I just find it funny," Sellers said. "Lance said that we couldn't focus on J.D. Vance, it's about the people at the top of the ticket. And then when we focus on the top of the ticket, he's like, 'Oh well, it's a Donald Trumpism, it's a day that ends in y."
Sellers listed off Biden administration policies he credited with lowering inflation and crime rates, then echoed messaging from Harris' campaign and Democrats who have transitioned away from calling Trump an authoritarian threat toward a simpler message against their political foe.
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"When Donald Trump says stuff like that, yes, it really is just plain weird," Sellers said. "The weird stuff he says, as well as the fact that the childless cat ladies man that's running with him has said some utterly weird things as well, his record needs to be adjudicated because he's one breath and one heartbeat away from the White House."
Trover tried to make the case that Harris' "weird messaging" didn't serve voters concerned about the cost of living and southern border policy, but Sellers rebutted this with other concerns voters share.
"[Trump] put three justices on the Supreme Court that took away a woman's right to choose and so there's a long litany of conversations that we can be having," Sellers said. "Trump is the oldest candidate for president in American history."
Sellers then dubbed Vance Trump's biggest campaign mistake.
"A Donald Trump Jr. temper tantrum got J.D. Vance on the ticket," Sellers said. "J.D. Vance is a hell of a mistake, one that we have to capitalize on."
