A Republican candidate in Arizona closely tied to former Republican President Donald Trump raised eyebrows this week when she told a TV news reporter to "put down the crack pipe" for believing that Democratic President Joe Biden actually won last year's election.
Kari Lake, a candidate for governor of Arizona, made the comment at an event at Arizona State University hosted by the ASU College Republicans group. She also mocked Biden's son Hunter's past struggles with addiction in her comments.
Lake is herself a former television news reporter.
See the exchange below.
Trump-endorsed AZ Gov. candidate @KariLake insults a reporter after claiming the media is "pushing a narrative, you know that Joe Biden didn't win by 81 million votes."pic.twitter.com/kM8NW5qpFd— The Republican Accountability Project (@The Republican Accountability Project) 1634754251
Lake also insinuated that the reporter was lying by acknowledging Biden's win and Trump's loss.
"This is what's wrong with the media. You guys are pushing a narrative. You know that Joe Biden didn't win by 81 million votes."
The reporter shot back:
"I do know he won."
It was then that Lake made her "crack pipe" remark--while also getting in a dig at Biden's son Hunter's struggles with addiction.
"By 81 million votes? You really need to put down the crack pipe -- Hunter's crack pipe. You really believe Joe Biden won by 81 million votes?"
Lake is correct about one point: Biden did not win by 81 million votes. Rather he received 81 million votes total in the election. How Hunter Biden plays into this is anyone's guess.
Lake is former President Trump's pick for governor of Arizona, who is hosting a fundraising event for her next month at his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida.
She left Phoenix's Fox 10 news, where she was an anchor for two decades, to launch her gubernatorial campaign earlier this year. During the latter years of her tenure at the station, she had become known for pushing conspiracy theories on her personal Twitter account, including Trump's totally baseless "Big Lie" election fraud theories.
On Twitter, people had a lot to say about her "crack pipe" moment.
Trumpist Kari Lake, currently running for Governor of Arizona-- \nShe insults a reporter & tells her to put down "Hunter's crack pipe." A real class act here ladies and gentlemen.https://twitter.com/AccountableGOP/status/1450890606260199424\u00a0\u2026— Olivia of Troye (@Olivia of Troye) 1634756489
Very sharp lady. I know that most intelligent people are aware that Joe Biden did NOT win by 87 trilliondybilliondy votes. Arizona is really generating some prime candidates.— proebstelpup (@proebstelpup) 1634757445
This is who the residents of the great State of AZ want as their Governor? She just told a reporter, a minority woman, to put down her crack pipe? She should concede just based on this 1 comment! Disgusting as much as it's disturbing! A female Trump? Step out and move on, BYE!— Krames1126 (@Krames1126) 1634803853
Perhaps @KariLake needs to take her own advice: put down the crack pipe Kari.https://twitter.com/AccountableGOP/status/1450890606260199424\u00a0\u2026— Gail Stein (@Gail Stein) 1634769441
Kari Lake is a wack job. She doesn\u2019t need a crack pipe, the crazy is organic with that one.— Margo Channing (@Margo Channing) 1634821112
Put down the crack pipe. I know it\u2019s hard for you to cope with trumps HUGE embarrassing loss, but being a isn\u2019t going to change it.— zeph (@zeph) 1634775549
Yes, telling someone to put down the crack pipe is just the composure I want out of my government employees— Jason Marquardt (@Jason Marquardt) 1634756503
Lies & insults from the purported front-runner in Arizona's GOP primary for governor. Totally on brand.https://twitter.com/AccountableGOP/status/1450890606260199424\u00a0\u2026— Brahm Resnik (@Brahm Resnik) 1634757790
If @KariLake can\u2019t get basic facts right \u2014 like the fact that @JoeBiden won Arizona \u2014 she has no business running for governor. @KyungLahCNNhttps://twitter.com/AccountableGOP/status/1450890606260199424\u00a0\u2026— Hannah Goss (@Hannah Goss) 1634760495
Lake is currently the frontrunner in the Arizona gubernatorial race, according to the most recent polling done in August and September.
Oh My God Reaction GIF 
@repjeffries/Instagram
@ctsparks2020/Instagram
@ms.cee7777/Instagram
@juju554/Instagram
@garfieldthe_dog/Instagram
@ch3lleb3lle/Instagram
@midgiepudge2scoot/Instagram
@chefbettycakes/Instagram
@erickabathgate/Instagram
@frenchie_valentinaa/Instagram
@babyboybroadus/Instagram
@elpunto/Bluesky
@localnotail/Bluesky
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram