Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) clashed with an Australian TV news anchor on Wednesday in an interview that started with a focus on Julian Assange before veering into questions about accepting the results of the 2024 presidential election.
In the interview, Greene did not say whether she would accept the results of the 2024 election if it ended in a victory for President Biden over former President Trump. Instead, she lambasted ABC News Australia journalist Sarah Ferguson for asking the questions, which Greene said were off topic.
When Ferguson noted Greene has never accepted Biden’s 2020 victory and started to mention Greene’s support for jailed Jan. 6 rioters, the congresswoman cut her off.
“Sarah, are we talking about Julian Assange?” Greene said, referring to the founder of WikiLeaks, who pleaded guilty this week to one felony count in exchange for his freedom, after a years-long saga resulting from his role in publishing U.S. military secrets.
“Sarah, are you even a serious interviewer? I thought we’re talking about Julian Assange here today. That’s what you were asking me to come on your Australian news show,” Greene said.
“I don’t usually do interviews like this because people like you can’t be taken seriously,” Greene added.
Ferguson did not respond directly, instead focusing on her intended question, which she suggested is relevant since Greene says her support for Assange comes from the importance she places on “truth.”
“So, I want to go to one of the most dominant issues of truth in the American landscape,” Ferguson added.
Greene agreed to hear the question, and Ferguson proceeded: “You’ve lionized people in prison for their role in attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, including visiting them in prison. This is my question: What will Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters do if he loses the election?”
After first noting that the question was irrelevant to Assange, Greene criticized the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and claimed that the Justice Department (DOJ) targets political enemies, including Trump and Jan. 6 defendants.
Trump has also argued that politics are at the root of the Justice Department’s cases against him, though no evidence has suggested that Biden or Democrats are directing the DOJ’s actions. The Justice Department has also been involved in the recent indictments of two Democrats, Sen. Bob Menedez (N.J.) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas). A DOJ special counsel also won a conviction recently against Hunter Biden, the president’s son.
Greene also attacked the media, saying the way it has presented the attack on the Capitol is false.
“That’s, I’m sure, not the images that you show on your network in Australia, but it’s a shame, because that’s what the media has done and twisted and lied. That’s why we applaud Julian Assange, because he didn’t twist and lie and try to pervert the truth. He told the truth, and we appreciate him for that,” Greene said.
Ferguson asked her initial question again more directly: “And if it doesn’t go your way, if Biden wins, will you accept the result?”
“Again, what does this have to do with Julian Assange?” Greene responded, before asking for which network the journalist works.
Greene continued: “Is she getting her marching orders from the Democrat Party? I mean, like, is this what she decided to come up with today?”
Ferguson defended her line of questioning, before wrapping up the interview.
“You are a prominent figure in U.S. politics, the first debate is tomorrow. The results of the election is on the minds, not just of Americans, but of the whole world. So, it’s a natural point of curiosity, but I understand that we’ve reached the end of the questions that you want to answer,” she said before thanking Greene for joining the program.
The contentious interview comes as numerous Trump allies have delicately sought to avoid questions about accepting the results of the election, in the event of a Biden victory. Many have said they will accept the results, but immediately follow up noting that they have no doubt that Trump will win.
The Hill has reached out to the ABC News Australia team and Greene’s office for further comment.