Ben Carson on Thursday suggested CNN anchor John Berman has a criminal record during an appearance on the cable news network where he weighed in on the legal problems concerning former rival Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.
Mr. Berman and CNN co-anchor Kate Balduan appeared visually stunned during a Thursday morning interview when Dr. Carson, the neurosurgeon turned former White House hopeful, made the remark while defending Mr. Lewandowski against accusations the campaign manager assaulted a female journalist last month.
“Do you think [Lewandowski] should still be running the show after the controversy he has found himself in?” Ms. Balduan asked the former Republican Party candidate for president.
“Well, I think there are a number of people who are involved,” Dr. Carson replied. “And from my context with Corey, he’s a very intelligent and efficient individual and I don’t see any reason, quite frankly, that we should demonize him. If you can come up with a good reason, I’ll listen to it.”
Mr. Berman was quick to point out that the campaign manager is currently facing a misdemeanor assault charge in Florida, prompting Dr. Carson to suggest the CNN anchor has had legal problems of his own.
“You’ve probably been charged with something too, maybe with a misdemeanor or something. It doesn’t mean you’re an evil, horrible person,” Dr. Carson said while the two hosts shared a look of disbelief.
“I actually haven’t, as far as I know,” Mr. Berman replied.
Dr. Carson announced in early Match that he was endorsing Mr. Trump’s campaign for president after he personally withdrew from the Republican Party race. Later in the month, authorities in Jupiter, Florida brought a charge of misdemeanor assault against Mr. Lewandowski concerning an altercation he’s alleged to have had with former Breitbart journalist Michelle Fields weeks earlier.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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