A Fox News interview went completely off the rails when a far-left Democratic congressional candidate responded to a pointed question about illegal immigration by launching a stunning and unsupported attack against President Donald Trump. Florida Democrat Oliver Larkin accused the president of being a “pedophile” before dragging the Epstein files, Rep. Thomas Massie, and AIPAC into the exchange. Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher then brought the interview to an abrupt end before Larkin could continue.
The heated exchange unfolded Thursday during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Story,” where Larkin was questioned about his opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the consequences of allowing dangerous criminal aliens to remain inside the United States. Larkin is a Democratic Socialist-backed candidate running for Congress in Florida’s 25th Congressional District. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz from the left in the upcoming primary.
The interview had already focused heavily on Larkin’s demand that ICE be abolished, with the candidate describing the federal immigration agency as “cruel,” “lawless,” and “out of control.” Gallagher pressed Larkin on whether there was any level of violent crime committed by illegal aliens that would cause him to reconsider that position. The Fox News anchor specifically raised crimes committed against children while asking Larkin to provide some sort of benchmark.
As the clip posted to X shows, Gallagher asked, “What is the number that is fine with you? Is there a benchmark? Is it fine? How many children can be raped, and it’s fine if you’re in relation to the immigration community?” The question placed Larkin in the crosshairs of having to explain how he could continue opposing the deportation of criminal illegal aliens accused or convicted of serious offenses. Larkin chose to avoid answering the question directly.
Instead, the Florida Democrat immediately pivoted away from illegal immigration and launched into an attack on Trump. “If we’re going to talk about children being raped, then we need to hold this pedophile President Donald Trump accountable,” Larkin declared. He did not present any evidence or for the inflammatory and possibly illegal accusation.
Larkin then expanded the attack to include unidentified people he claimed were implicated in documents connected to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “And all those that have been implicated by the Epstein files that the Department of Justice is still not leaking,” he continued. Larkin appeared to mean that the department had not released the material, though he did not explain exactly which files, people, or allegations he was referencing.
The Democrat then attempted to connect the Epstein documents to Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. “And they’ve sent AIPAC after Thomas Massie for having the temerity to hold accountable the pedophiles that are in control of our government,” Larkin claimed. He again offered no names, evidence, or explanation establishing who he believed was “in control” of the government.
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Watch the exchange and Fox News’ abrupt cutoff here:
The host did not allow the irresponsible and incendiary accusations to continue any further. “Thank you”, Gallagher said while cutting in over the candidate, “We appreciate your time very much,” abruptly ending the segment.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.