ABC News producer and reporter Ben Siegel walked back his claim that former Rep. Liz Cheney worked behind the scenes, courting Democrats to assist in removing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his position.
In an X post, Siegel explained that a call to “get rid of” Speaker McCarthy — which he had attributed to Cheney — had actually come from impeachment attorney-turned-Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY).
“Clarifying some earlier reporting, per Dem members – > Goldman said Cheney reached out to him after a TV hit to agree w/ his sentiments that McCarthy — and Trump — threatened democracy. Goldman said, ‘Let’s get rid of [McCarthy],’ speaking for himself, not Cheney.”
Clarifying some earlier reporting, per Dem members – >
Goldman said Cheney reached out to him after a TV hit to agree w/ his sentiments that McCarthy – and Trump- threatened democracy.
Goldman said, “Let’s get rid of [McCarthy],” speaking for himself, not Cheney. pic.twitter.com/3jxZ8VRZtN
— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) October 3, 2023
Siegel had initially shared a post on X saying that Cheney had placed a call to Goldman on that topic.
“In the Dem meeting, Rep. Dan Goldman … told colleagues he received a call from former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney after a recent TV hit,” Siegel said. “Cheney said they should ‘get rid of’ McCarthy, per two sources who heard Goldman describe the call.”
In the Dem meeting, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-NY, told colleagues he received a call from former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney after a recent TV hit.
Cheney said they should "get rid of" McCarthy, per two sources who heard Goldman describe the call.
— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) October 3, 2023
Critics responded to the news by saying that they would expect nothing else from Cheney, who lost her 2022 Republican primary after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump over the events of January 6, 2021 — and actively participating in the heavily one-sided January 6 Committee.
“Matt Gaetz and Liz Cheney working together to take out Kevin McCarthy is the most absurd plot line I could have ever imagined,” Matt Whitlock said via X, referencing Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-FL) intent to strip McCarthy of his gavel.
The Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway added, “Cheney’s obsessive hatred of McCarthy is well known. But also worth noting that she’s advising Democrats. Functionally a Democrat activist.”
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Cheney's obsessive hatred of McCarthy is well known. But also worth noting that she's advising Democrats. Functionally a Democrat activist. https://t.co/FcMh7hTqML
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) October 3, 2023
“I can’t help but think this has to be ‘payback’ after McCarthy backed ousting Liz Cheney as GOP Conference Chair when she was in Congress,” OANN reporter Stephanie Myers said.
Victor Chi appeared to believe it might work, saying, “Remember that time when Kevin McCarthy gave Tucker Carlson tapes? Remember when Kevin McCarthy didn’t support the January 6th Committee? He messed around and he’s about to find out. Thoughts & prayers, Kevin.”
A few others joked that it was no surprise to see a Cheney come out in support of “regime change.”
A Cheney supporting regime change https://t.co/V1j1C6ktu7
— Steve Morris (@stevemorris__) October 3, 2023
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is apparently already on board, saying on CNN’s “State of the Union” that she would “absolutely” cast a vote to remove McCarthy.
“I think Kevin McCarthy is very weak speaker. He clearly has lost control of his caucus,” she said.