'You're not someone's crazy uncle': Savannah Guthrie challenges Trump over bizarre Bin Laden conspiracy
Town hall took place on day president was supposed to be debating Joe Biden
Your support helps us to tell the story
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Donald Trump has been challenged over his retweeting of a conspiracy theory that Osama Bin Laden was still alive, being told: “You’re not somebody’s crazy uncle.”
Earlier this week, the president retweeted an account linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory that promoted the claim that Barack Obama and the US Navy SEALs had staged the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed the Al-Qaeada leader.
The Hill said the has since been suspended, but the president on Wednesday also retweeted a video promoting claims about the raid, suggesting it did not happen and that Bin Laden was still alive.
Questioned during a town hall-style interview on Thursday, the president was challenged about his retweeting of the conspiracy theory.
“That was a retweet, I’ll put it out there. People can decide for themselves,” he said.
“You’re the president. You’re not like someone’s crazy uncle,” said moderator Savannah Guthrie.
Former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill, who has claimed he was the special forces operative who killed Bin Laden in the 2011 raid, has hit back at Mr Trump’s actions.
“Very brave men said goodby to their kids to go kill Osama bin Laden,” he tweeted.
“We were given the order by President Obama. It was not a body double.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments