Vivek Ramaswamy spars with Abby Phillip over Jan. 6 claims at town hall

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy got into a heated exchange with CNN host Abby Phillip over what he said was government involvement in the Jan. 6 riot.

In a heated moment, Ramaswamy and Phillip got into a back-and-forth over alleged government involvement in the Jan. 6 riot. He recounted his journey to coming to believe that there were government agents involved in the riot until Phillip interrupted to bring him back the question, which related to whether he was worried that Jan. 6 defendants were using his remarks in their trials.

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After Phillip interjected several times, Ramaswamy said it was because “the establishment doesn’t approve of this message,” a remark that was cheered by the audience.

Charlie Neibergall/AP

“I know this is uncomfortable for you,” Ramaswamy said. “I know this is an uncomfortable issue for many people, but we need to do the truth.”

The Republican candidate sparred with Phillip for several minutes over whether there was evidence that federal agents had a hand in coordinating the riot. He argued entrapment had taken place, while Phillip accused him of cherry-picking footage.

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Ramaswamy appeared to win the exchange with the audience, who laughed at Phillip when she said she didn’t want Ramaswamy to “mislead the audience.”

Ramaswamy has been the only Republican candidate, aside from former President Donald Trump, who has pushed back on the official narrative regarding the Jan. 6 riot, and he alleges that the government was involved in the event for nefarious reasons. Ramaswamy has received serious criticism for the claim.