Veteran broadcaster Geraldo Rivera criticized President Donald Trump during a recent CNN panel discussion, arguing that the Republican Party has been harmed by continued disputes over the 2020 presidential election.
Speaking on CNN’s “NewsNight,” Rivera said he believes acknowledging certified election results is essential to maintaining public trust, while emphasizing that he still considers himself a Republican.
Comments
During the discussion, Rivera argued that the question of who won the 2020 presidential election has become a test of political honesty.
He said that if elected officials cannot answer that question directly, it raises concerns about the credibility of other statements they make.
Rivera also criticized what he described as “groupthink” within the Republican Party while noting that he remains a member of the party.
Discussion
The panel conversation focused on Arizona Republican primary elections and President Trump’s endorsement of several candidates.
MeidasTouch host Dina Doll noted that multiple Trump-endorsed candidates had questioned the results of the 2020 election.
Commentator Tara Setmayer argued that Trump’s endorsements reflected his broader political strategy, while Rivera shifted the discussion back to the continuing debate over the 2020 election.
Arizona
The discussion followed President Trump’s announcement celebrating the success of his endorsed candidates in Arizona’s Republican primary elections.
Trump described the results as a “7-0” sweep after all seven of his endorsed candidates won their primary races.
Among the winners were:
| Candidate | Office |
|---|---|
| Andy Biggs | Republican nominee for Arizona governor |
| Jay Feely | Republican nominee for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District |
| Mark Lamb | Republican nominee for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District |
| Alexander Kolodin | Republican nominee for Arizona secretary of state |
Several of the candidates have publicly supported or questioned claims related to the 2020 presidential election.
Relationship
Rivera and Trump have known each other for decades, with Rivera previously describing their relationship as a friendship that began during Trump’s New York real estate career.
Rivera has said he served as an informal confidant during portions of Trump’s first presidential term.
However, he has also stated that their relationship changed following the events surrounding the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Position
Rivera has repeatedly stated that his disagreement with Trump centers primarily on the former president’s continued challenges to the certified results of the 2020 election rather than on conservative policy positions.
Following the 2020 election, Rivera publicly criticized Trump’s response and later announced that he would no longer support him politically.
Rivera subsequently endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Context
President Trump has continued to state that the 2020 election was affected by widespread fraud. Numerous courts, state election officials, federal agencies, and independent reviews found no evidence of fraud on a scale that would have changed the election outcome. Congress certified Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory on Jan. 7, 2021.
Rivera’s latest comments reflect the continuing debate within the Republican Party over the 2020 election and its role in current political campaigns, particularly as candidates prepare for future statewide and national elections.
FAQs
Where did Geraldo Rivera make the comments?
He spoke during CNN’s NewsNight panel discussion.
What issue was Rivera discussing?
He criticized continued disputes over the 2020 election.
Does Rivera still identify as a Republican?
Yes. He said he remains a Republican.
What Arizona results prompted the discussion?
Trump-backed candidates won several Republican primaries.
Who won the 2020 presidential election?
Joe Biden won the certified 2020 election.
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