After years of his alternative facts being enabled—first due to his presidential candidacy then his presidency—former Republican President Donald Trump appears confused why the newsmedia no longer caters to his whims.
The lies his campaign and administration—especially his White House Press Secretaries—became infamous for don't get the same attention or amplification they once did.
Video and audio evidence and testimony from members of Trump's own administration and family were televised as part of the January 6th House Select Committee hearings.
In response, Trump took to his beleaguered Truth Social platform to demand "EQUAL TIME" to share his version of events surrounding the Capitol riot, insurrection and attempted coup.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
While Trump is likely demanding the uncensored, unfact-checked open forum he once enjoyed on Fox News—and still has with some fringe conservative media organizations—people pointed out Trump is welcome to testify on his own behalf.
Under oath.
Under penalty of perjury.
\u201cEqual time means sitting your lying ass in a witness chair. \nWe\u2019ll wait.\u201d— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@Rep. Eric Swalwell) 1655399049
\u201cBREAKING: Donald Trump throws a massive fit over the Jan. 6th hearings, says they\u2019re broadcast by \u201csick people\u201d and are \u201cslanderous\u201d before pathetically \u201cdemanding EQUAL TIME\u201d to push his Big Lie on TV. RT IF YOU THINK THAT TRUMP IS A BIG BABY!\u201d— Occupy Democrats (@Occupy Democrats) 1655396220
\u201cTrump just sent out a press release with a screen shot of a post he put up on his personal social media platform "hereby demanding EQUAL TIME" to repeat his lies about the election.\n\nConfident the committee would be thrilled to let him testify under oath.\u201d— S.V. D\u00e1te (@S.V. D\u00e1te) 1655397606
\u201c@DailyMail When the @DOJCrimDiv indicts #Trump, he will get his equal time to plead his case. On the witness stand.\u201d— Daily Mail US (@Daily Mail US) 1655407620
\u201cI\u2019m with Trump, I too demand he get equal time. In a cell at Gitmo, right next to his coup-conspirators\u2026\u201d— Ty Ross (@Ty Ross) 1655435412
\u201cTrump is demanding equal time to tell his side of the story to the select committee. \n\nPerhaps the committee should invite Donald himself to be placed under oath in prime time. We know he won't do it.\n\nBecause he's full of shit.\u201d— David Siegel \u2696\ufe0f (@David Siegel \u2696\ufe0f) 1655462528
\u201cIf Trump wants 'equal time', he can testify under oath.\u201d— Molly Ploofkins\u2122 (@Molly Ploofkins\u2122) 1655469009
\u201cTrump is demanding "equal time."\n\nCall his bluff.\n\nPublicly invite him to testify under oath in prime time.\n\nThen indict him for perjury for every lie that comes out of his mouth.\u201d— Ex-GOP (@Ex-GOP) 1655467521
But Trump has always been welcome to testify.
In a June 10 interview with MSNBC, Mississippi Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson—the January 6th committee chair—stated:
"We welcome the former President."
"He would have to come under oath."
"He's a citizen, and if he thinks he can come to our committee under oath and perjure himself then I would suggest he not come."