MAGA fan says Trump is still flying on Air Force One in bizarre Daily Show interview
‘Well, he’s been flying around the world on Air Force One. That says something,’ a Trump supporter in Des Moines told The Daily Show
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper has interviewed many Donald Trump supporters, but one in Iowa reached new levels of delusionality.
At a 9 October rally for the former president in Des Moines, Mr Klepper talked to a white-bearded man who claimed Mr Trump was not only still president, but has been spending his time travelling the globe aboard Air Force One.
Mr Klepper began his interview by pointing out the large Q on the man’s T-shirt, indicating his belief in the QAnon conspiracy theory.
“Wasn’t Q’s whole thing that Trump would be reinstated as president?” Mr Klepper asked.
“He’s never left,” the man replied. “There’s no doubt in my mind – 150,000 per cent.”
Mr Klepper, incredulous, asked if Mr Trump still holds “the powers of the presidency.”
“Well,” the man answered, “he’s been flying around the world on Air Force One. That says something.”
“I thought Joe Biden technically had Air Force One,” Mr Klepper replied.
To this, the man shook his head and smiled mysteriously.
President Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020 by substantial margins in both the popular vote and the Electoral College. His victory was certified by Congress, despite Mr Trump’s persistent “big lie” that it was fraudulent and an attack on the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters.
At the Des Moines rally, Mr Trump repeated that lie to his audience.
“They used Covid in order to cheat and rig,” Mr Trump said, falsely. “Remember, this is not about me being robbed of an election. This is about the American people having their country taken away from them.”
The bearded man who spoke to Mr Klepper appeared to believe this. The Daily Show correspondent, increasingly agitated, asked him if the Biden administration was “faking it.”
“Yeah, it’s not even a presidency,” the man answered.
“Who is running the government right now?” Mr Klepper asked.
“President Trump,” the MAGA fan said confidently, adding that Mr Trump was also running the military.“So we should blame him for what happened in Afghanistan?” Mr Klepper asked.
“No,” the man replied.
Mr Klepper pressed him to explain.
“ It’s way beyond my…” the man stammered. “I don’t… I don’t, I’m…”
Mr Klepper then thanked him for his time and concluded the interview.
The Independent has reached out to Mr Trump for comment on who currently controls Air Force One.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments