Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) clashed with an Australian TV news anchor on Wednesday in an interview that began with a focus on Julian Assange before moving on to questions about accepting the presidential election results 2024.
In the interview, Greene did not say whether she would accept the results of the 2024 election if they ended in a victory for President Biden over former President Trump. Instead, she criticized ABC News Australia journalist Sarah Ferguson for asking the questions, which Greene said were off-topic.
When Ferguson noted that Greene never accepted Biden’s 2020 victory and began to mention Greene’s support for protesters arrested on January 6, the congresswoman interrupted her.
“Sarah, are we talking about Julian Assange?” Greene said, referring to the WikiLeaks founder, who pleaded guilty this week to a felony charge in exchange for his freedom after a years-long saga stemming from his role in publishing U.S. military secrets.
“Sarah, are you really a serious interviewer? I thought we were talking about Julian Assange here today. That’s what you were asking me to do on your Australian news,” Greene said.
“I don’t normally do interviews like this because people like you can’t be taken seriously,” Greene added.
Ferguson did not respond directly, focusing instead on the intended question, which she suggested was relevant given that Greene says her support for Assange comes from the importance she places on “truth.”
“So I want to address one of the most dominant questions of truth on the American scene,” Ferguson added.
Greene agreed to hear the question, and Ferguson continued: “You praised the people in prison for their role in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, including visiting them in prison. Here’s my question: What will Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters do if he loses the election?
After first noting that the issue was irrelevant to Assange, Greene criticized the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and claimed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is targeting political enemies, including Trump and the January 6 defendants.
Trump has also argued that politics is at the root of the Justice Department’s cases against him, although no evidence suggests that Biden or Democrats are directing the DOJ’s actions. The Justice Department was also involved in the recent indictments of two Democrats, Senator Bob Menedez (NJ) and Representative Henry Cuellar (Texas). A DOJ special counsel also recently obtained a conviction against Hunter Biden, the president’s son.
Greene also lashed out at the media, saying their portrayal of the attack on the Capitol is false.
“I’m sure it’s not the images you show on your network in Australia, but it’s a shame because that’s what the media did, distorted and lied. This is why we applaud Julian Assange, because he did not distort, lie and try to pervert the truth. He told the truth and we appreciate him for that,” Greene said.
Ferguson returned to his initial question more directly: “What if things don’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 which network the journalist works for.
Greene continued: “Is she getting her marching orders from the Democratic Party? I mean, is this what she decided to do today?
Ferguson defended his line of questioning before ending the interview.
“You are a prominent figure in US politics, the first debate is tomorrow. The election results are on the minds of not just Americans, but everyone around the world. So, it’s a natural point of curiosity, but I understand we’ve reached the end of the questions you want answered,” she said before thanking Greene for joining the program.
The controversial interview comes as several of Trump’s allies seek to delicately avoid questions about whether the election results will be accepted in the event of a Biden victory. Many have said they will accept the results but immediately follow up, noting they have no doubt Trump will win.
The Hill has reached out to the ABC News Australia team and Greene’s office for further comment.
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