2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg took a swing at President Donald Trump and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh when discussing recent comments about his marriage at CNN’s town hall.
During the town hall in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, CNN moderator Erin Burnett mentioned Limbaugh’s recent controversial remarks where he suggested, “America’s still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage president.”
She then mentioned that Trump reportedly told Limbaugh not to apologize for his comments.
Asked if he takes Trump “at his word” for the president saying he “would not have a problem supporting a gay candidate,” Buttigieg responded, “Not if he’s sending out his supporters to talk in this way. The idea of the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump lecturing anybody on family values.”
After drawing applause from the audience, Buttigieg continued, “I’m sorry, but one thing about my marriage is it’s never involved me having to send hush money to a porn star after cheating on my spouse.”
Buttigieg appeared to be referring to the alleged affair between Trump and adult film star Stormy Daniels, and the alleged hush-money payments.
“So they want to debate family values, let’s debate family values, I’m ready,” the former South Bend, Ind., mayor added.
Watch the video below:
Pete Buttigieg: "The idea of the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump lecturing anybody on family values… One thing about my marriage is, it's never involved me to send hush money to a porn star" #cnntownhall https://t.co/pJxssL6arC pic.twitter.com/I8a3Pgv2es
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 19, 2020
Limbaugh — who recently received the Medal of Freedom at the State of the Union — did not back away from his comments, as he said during his show on Monday, “Hell, the president even called me about this! He said, ‘Rush, I just got to tell you something. Never apologize. Don’t ever apologize.'”