Arizona Senate president Karen Fann, a Republican, has a message for Americans worried about the transparency of the scandal-plagued recount of the 2020 election her state is conducting: don’t worry, One America News is keeping the auditors honest.
In an interview with CNN’s Kyung Lah (watch above), Fann defends the audit, asserts that she’s defending democracy, and dismisses claims that the press has been shut out of the process.
“First of all, when we talk about transparency, from day one, the entire process has been livestreaming—” Fann said.
“On OAN, with cameras controlled by OAN,” Lah interrupted.
“Are you saying that OAN is not a credible news source? Are you saying that?” Fann asked.
“Yes,” Lah responded.
In a report about the interview, Lah explains that OAN personalities have fundraised for the audit, rendering their oversight meaningless.
.@OANN’s @christina_bobb said on the air a few months ago that there were more ballots cast in Maricopa County than there were registered voters. Which is a lie. So no, they’re not a credible news source. I can’t imagine what would lead someone to believe otherwise. https://t.co/im3MxdNap0
— Jeremy Duda (@jeremyduda) May 26, 2021
Lah asked Fann if the resources used on the recount were a good use of taxpayer money. Fann said that only $150,000 of government funds were being used and the rest was being covered by private donations.
Auditors have been using infrared lights to search for traces of bamboo on Maricopa County’s mail-in ballots. The idea stems from an incoherent conspiracy theory that China flooded the state with illegitimate votes. (Multiple recounts have already confirmed Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona).
When Lah asked Fann if she was giving credence to conspiracy theories that undermine democracy, Fann responded, “If somebody says something is out there, I would love to be able to say, “That’s not true, guys.”