Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds and CNN host Jim Acosta engaged in a heated debate on Tuesday over Republican nominee Donald Trump’s recent remarks about the “enemy from within.”
The conversation revolved around Trump’s suggestion of using the National Guard and possibly the military against “the enemy from within” to prevent chaos on Election Day. Acosta pressed Donalds on whether it was acceptable for Trump to accuse prominent Democrats, such as California Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, of being enemies from within.
However, Donalds pushed back and explained that his concern was not about arresting or rounding up political opponents. He argued that Trump was responding to a question from Fox News host Maria Bartiromo about the potential for unrest on the streets during the election. The Florida representative also pointed to the widespread riots that occurred in major cities across the country during the summer of 2020, stating that such chaos is dangerous and concerning.
Acosta then asked if Trump’s remark should be denounced. In response, Donalds emphasized that Trump never “weaponized” the Department of Justice or the U.S. military to go after his political rivals. He also mentioned that Trump never called for Pelosi or Schiff to be arrested. Acosta retorted that he has heard Trump and his supporters chant for Hillary Clinton to be locked up during the 2016 campaign.
Donalds reiterated that Trump’s speech did not target political opponents, and he reminded Acosta that Trump had already been president for four years. Donalds asked if Trump had ever used the Justice Department or military to go after his rivals during his presidency, to which Acosta did not have a direct answer.
The CNN host then shifted the conversation to Trump’s comments about former golf player Arnold Palmer’s genitalia at a rally on Saturday. He asked Donalds if that type of speech was appropriate for a president. Donalds responded by emphasizing that Americans are more concerned with the economy and border security than Trump making a crude joke.
Acosta continued to question Trump’s character and whether he was fit to be president. In response, Donalds argued that Trump’s time in office was successful and that the country was better off during his presidency. He pointed to the current administration’s failures, such as the border crisis and the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, which led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.
Donalds also mentioned that Trump had recently honored these fallen soldiers during an event commemorating the third anniversary of their deaths. He highlighted the over 2 million illegal migrants encountered by Border Patrol in the 2024 fiscal year and the nearly 100 individuals on the U.S. terror watch list who were released into the country during the Biden-Harris administration.
The debate between Donalds and Acosta showed a stark contrast in their views on Trump and his presidency. While Acosta focused on Trump’s controversial remarks and questioned his character, Donalds spoke out in support of Trump and highlighted his accomplishments during his time in office.