Earlier today on CNN, Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, was asked whether the campaign would release an IRS audit letter that proves if Donald Trump is being audited.
"Will Donald Trump release anything from the IRS proving that he's under audit?"
If you watch the video, you'll notice she was caught off guard by the question. She is used to reporters asking about whether Trump will release his tax records so she's use to filibustering and deflecting. However, this question wasn't about the release of his records. But the release of an IRS audit notification letter which shows whether he is being audited. It doesn't contain any sensitive information that would harm Trump.
Judging by her reaction, she didn't see this coming as she responded, “I’m sorry?” The reporter than asked the question again thus giving her time to formulate an answer in which she deflected and played the role of the "offended woman” by accusing Camerota of badgering her. Conway responds;
"Are you calling him a liar?"
Can any of us really believe that a thick skinned seasoned political operative such as Conway could be so easily offended by an honest question that she would accuse the reporter of being dishonest? Surely this woman has experienced far more heat than what she was given this morning? This is not the first time that Conway has used this tactic when she wants to deflect. A month ago, she accused Don Lemon of badgering her when he pressed her on an issue. This is Conway’s go-to tactic of going on the offensive with journalist and getting them to go off tilt. Basically, make them feel guilty for harassing a woman.
For months, the media have been attempting to get Trump to release his tax records. But few in the media realized that there was another approach that Camerota discovered this morning. To simply ask about whether an audit even exists.
We've all been under the assumption that Trump has been audited. However, given Conway’s recent deflection, doubt is starting to come into play as to whether Trump is even being audited at all. If the campaign refuses to release a harmless notification letter, then this can create further doubt among the undecided public.
It's slowly making its way through the media today so it remains to be seen if more reporters will catch onto this and continue down this road of “badgering” the campaign.