Governor Sununu downplays his comments about President Trump’s mental state, “It’s all a joke. Look. I don’t think he’s crazy. . .Anyone who is trying to make this anymore than it is doesn’t understand what the Gridiron Dinner is all about.”
In an interview with WGIR’s Chris Ryan, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu tries his best to downplay his remarks, as merely jesting about President Trump’s mental state at the Gridiron Club Dinner; and discusses steps being taken to extend mental health services in New Hampshire.
On Saturday, April 2nd, the Gridiron Club, an organization of Washington journalists, held their 137th Dinner. The white tie and gown affair, which is not supposed to be televised, recorded, or even photographed, features musical skits and speeches lampooning Democrats and Republicans.
Governor Chris Sununu was chosen to speak for the Republicans, and Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md., represented the Democrats. The President did not attend; but, in addition to sending a video which included thanking Sununu for helping the Democrats keep control of the Senate, the Biden administration was represented by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the former Governor of Rhode Island.
Governor Sununu made national news when it was his turn to speak at the roast and he said this about President Trump, “You know. He’s probably going to be the next president.” After a long pause, Sununu yelled, “Nah, I’m just kidding! He’s f---ing crazy!”
After the roars of laughter in the ballroom subsided, the Governor went on to say, “I don’t think that he’s so crazy that you would put him in a mental institution. But, if he was in one, he ain’t getting out!”
In the New Hampshire Today interview, Governor Sununu insisted that all of his remarks were meant to be in the spirit of the dinner’s roast format.
“If anyone is taking any of those jokes seriously, then lighten up. It’s a roast! I made jokes about my own family, myself, and Republicans as much as I made jokes about Democrats and Joe Biden and AOC and Bernie Sanders and socialists.”
When the Governor was pressed further about his comments regarding President Trump, he said, “It’s all a joke. Look. I don’t think he’s crazy. . .Anyone who is trying to make this anymore than it is doesn’t understand what the Gridiron Dinner is all about.”
Former Trump campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, claims that he has been tasked by President Trump to find a Republican candidate to run against Sununu in a primary election. Governor Sununu was asked if his anti-Trump comments at the dinner were a way of pushing back.
“Look, if you think that I’m trying to make some sort of serious political statement at a roast, you don’t understand politics.”
In the last segment of the interview, Governor Sununu discussed the steps being taken to expand mental health services in the Granite State. He has proposed a law which will have the mental health hotline number on the back of all student IDs. The goal is to engage families which are going through a crisis to get needed help from a variety of wrap around services.