In a testy exchange with reporters Friday, the normally soft-spoken Ben Carson repeatedly made clear his contempt for the media.
On the heels of several reports that called into question aspects of his biography, the Republican presidential candidate said the press is engaged in a “witch hunt” to derail his campaign.
{mosads}“Here’s my prediction: My prediction is that all of you guys piling on is actually going to help me, because when I go out to these book signings and I see these thousands of people, they say, ‘Don’t let the media get you down,’ ” Carson said.
“They understand that this is a witch hunt.”
Reporters have been unable to substantiate several claims that Carson made about his teenage years growing up in Detroit, including his claim that he attempted to stab someone when he was 14.
He agreed to reveal the name of the man he said he attempted to stab if the media would sign affidavits promising to cover him more fairly.
“If everybody here will sign an affidavit, saying that if I reveal the name of the person involved in this stabbing incident, that you will be singing my praises, and none of this stuff will ever go on again, I’ll think about it. Will you do that?” he said.
“Yes? Yes? Yes? Yes? Yes?” he asked several reporters.
Carson’s claim that he was offered a scholarship to attend West Point has also been called into question.
He characterized the offer as “informal,” saying several senior military officials offered to help him get into the school based on his strong academic performance in high school.
The academy offers free educations to all students who attend in exchange for military service after graduation.
Carson said the media was less willing to dig up President Obama’s past when he was running for president.
“I do not remember this level of scrutiny for one President Barack Obama when he was running,” he said. “In fact, I remember just the opposite.”
Carson chastised reporters for not asking why the president’s academic record is sealed off from the public.
“Why are you guys not interested in why his records are sealed? Why are you not interested in that? Can somebody tell me that?” he asked.
-Updated at 9:28 p.m.