News/Commentary

‘Sometimes memes write themselves’: Haley remains straight-faced despite Tapper’s ‘Freudian’ Trump gaffe

March 5, 2024 | | Print Article

Jake Tapper’s unfortunate slip of the tongue may be an embarrassment the CNN host would like to put behind him, but the ribald response on social media has guaranteed it won’t soon be forgotten.

The host of “The Lead” was speaking with his guest, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, when he stumbled over trying to say that former President Donald Trump participated in an “insurrection.”

Unfortunately, what came out of his mouth was the word “erection,” followed by Tapper’s quick effort to correct himself.

Haley told Tapper she was “happy” with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Trump this week by overturning the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to keep the 2024 Republican frontrunner off the state’s ballot on alleged claims that he engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021.

“I was very happy with the Supreme Court ruling,” Haley said. “Look, I’m trying to defeat Donald Trump fair and square. I don’t need them taking him off the ballot to do it.”

“Right, the Colorado Supreme Court, of course, wasn’t saying – however partisan people might have thought that decision was – their official explanation was not they didn’t like Donald Trump,” Tapper responded.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They said he participated in an erection and I have to– insurrection. Sorry. An insurrection,” he quickly corrected his gaffe, explaining, “And I have to say, I got up at five this morning to do Kasie Hunt’s show and I’m exhausted.”

Somehow, Haley managed to keep an even face with a slight laugh when the CNN host explained he was tired.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perhaps Tapper was following some kind of Democrat talking point as Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had used the same term back in 2021 before Trump’s Senate impeachment trial.

“There will be a trial, and when that trial ends, senators will have to decide if they believe Donald John Trump incited the erection… insurrection… against the United States,” Schumer said at the time.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., claimed during a House Judiciary Committee speech that Trump “incited an erection.”

And rabid anti-Trump Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., got flustered during an appearance on “The View.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“But let’s not use that as a smokescreen to somehow shield Donald Trump’s culpability for inviting Russia to help him in the election, which they did, for trying to coerce Ukraine into helping him in the next election, which he did, into inciting an erection…” Schiff said.

Unfortunately for Tapper, but in an entertainment bonus for the rest of the country, social media took off at his expense.

ADVERTISEMENT

Frieda Powers
Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles