Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) lashed out at Fox News host Shannon Bream, who pointed out that the lawmaker had reportedly called former President Donald Trump a "whack job."
During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Bream asked Stefanik about her chances as a vice presidential candidate after a New York Times report quoted her saying negative things about the former president.
"They say you called him a whack job at one point," Bream noted, reading from the Times: "She told a New York radio station that he was insulting to women and that his candidacy would hurt the party's efforts to attract female voters. According to her former friends, they continue, she thought Mr. Trump was too awful and ridiculous to be taken seriously."
"So the question is when, more importantly, why did you change your mind about President Trump?" the Fox News host asked.
"Well, Shannon, it's a disgrace that you would quote the New York Times with nameless, faceless but they're quoting your sources," Stefanik complained.
Bream tried to clarify her question, but Stefanik refused to let the host speak.
"No, no, no, no, Shannon, Shannon, Shannon!" the lawmaker exclaimed. "They're not quoting my friends. Those names are not included because they are false smears."
"Just to be fair, there are a number of names of people who are quoted in the article," Bream said.
"Shannon, let me correct you," Stefanik replied angrily. "This is a false smear and let me tell you, let me tell you a fact, Shannon."
"In 2016, I was attacked as the only elected Republican from the Northeast who voted for President Trump," she added. "And I'm proud to be one of his strongest allies in Congress."
