Hugh Hewitt Criticizes WaPo Colleagues Over Trump Claim, Exits Live Broadcast

Hugh Hewitt Criticizes WaPo Colleagues Over Trump Claim, Exits Live Broadcast

Veteran columnist Hugh Hewitt ended his association with The Washington Post during a live broadcast, intensifying ongoing debates within the publication.

“I have indeed quit the Post, though I was only writing a column for them roughly every six weeks,” Hewitt confirmed to Fox News.

On Friday, Hewitt left the set of “First Look,” a “Washington Post Live” program, where he was joined by liberal columnists Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus.

Capehart initiated the discussion by asking Marcus, “Does it seem like Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for contesting the election by complaining that cheating was taking place in Pennsylvania?” He continued, “By suing Bucks County for alleged irregularities, and this is on top of his continual assertion that if he loses, it’s because of cheating.”

“No election can be fair in Donald Trump’s mind unless Donald Trump wins it,” responded Marcus.

As Hewitt attempted to add his perspective, Capehart interjected, “Let Ruth finish, Hugh.”

Hewitt, a known conservative and Trump supporter, remarked, “Well, I’ve just got to say, we’re news people, even though it’s the opinion section. It’s got to be reported. Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they violated the law and told people to go home. So that lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee, and it was successful. The Supreme Court ruled that [Virginia Gov.] Glenn Youngkin was successful.”

He reiterated, “We are news people, even though we have opinions, and we have to report the whole story if we bring up part of the story. So, yes, he’s upset about Bucks County, but he was right, and he won in court. That’s the story.”

Capehart, visibly frustrated, retorted, “I don’t appreciate being lectured about reporting when, Hugh, many times, you’ve come here saying lots of things that aren’t based in fact.” Hewitt then stood, removing his earpiece.

“I won’t come back, Jonathan. I’m done. I’m done. This is the most unfair election ad I’ve ever been a part of. You guys are working. That’s fine. I’m done,” he declared.

The New York Times later confirmed that Trump’s legal team was indeed successful in Bucks County, where they sought to extend early voting.

Bucks County, a significant battleground just north of Philadelphia, had set a 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday for voters to apply in person at county offices for mail-in ballots. The Trump campaign argued that some voters were denied this right before the cut-off, leaving without the opportunity to submit their ballots.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeffrey G. Trauger of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas granted the request, allowing voters until Friday's close of business to apply in person.

In Pennsylvania, voters may apply for mail-in ballots, and if approved, they can complete and deliver them immediately or return later to drop them off.

This court order followed a video that circulated online, showing voters being turned away around 2:30 p.m. amid long lines at early voting locations.

In a statement, the Trump campaign highlighted this issue: “The Pennsylvania Department of State made clear if voters are in line at a county elections office by 5:00PM, the counties MUST give voters the opportunity to apply for their mail-in ballot. Pennsylvania voters were turned away as early as 2:30PM.”

The campaign added, “Yesterday, Kamala delivered a speech of falsehoods in Washington, DC, claiming Republicans are a threat to democracy—while her allies in battleground Pennsylvania are actively turning away voters.”

They concluded, “This is against the law. This is voter suppression from the left. We will fight for every legal vote in Pennsylvania. Go vote, and stay in line!”