(Headline USA) Former President Donald Trump argued he should be given equal time on TV networks to combat the partisan narrative being put forth by Democrats’ Jan. 6 congressional committee.
The Communications Act of 1934 technically requires broadcast outlets to give equal airtime to different political parties, but it only applies to candidates for public office.
However, Trump argued that the rule should apply to the Jan. 6 congressional committee’s partisan hearings, as well.
“The Fake News Networks are perpetuating lies, falsehoods, and Russia, Russia, Russia type disinformation (same sick people, here we go again!) by allowing the low rated but nevertheless one sided and slanderous Unselect Committee hearings to go endlessly and aimlessly on (and on and on!),” Trump said on Truth Social.
“It is a one sided, highly partisan Witch Hunt, the likes of which has never been seen in Congress before. Therefore, I am hereby demanding EQUAL TIME to spell out the massive Voter Fraud & Dem Security Breach!” he concluded.
In response, committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said Trump is welcome to share his perspective – but only if he testifies before the committee.
“We welcome the former president, he will have to come under oath,” Thompson told MSNBC. “He’s a citizen. And if he thinks he can come to our committee under oath, and perjure himself, then I would suggest he does not come.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., agreed with Thompson:
Equal time means sitting your lying ass in a witness chair.
We’ll wait. pic.twitter.com/p2fzKfQDvz— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 16, 2022
