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A Trump ally has recounted an inflammatory comment he made about Mark Meadows and blamed "dark forces" for the inaccurate information.
Former president Donald Trump and his allies have fretted over whether Meadows, former chief of staff under the Trump administration, had betrayed Trump by agreeing to work with Special Counsel Jack Smith in exchange for immunity, according to a report by ABC News. Meadows allegedly warned Trump that his claims regarding the rigged 2020 election were without foundation. The former president was indicted in August in Washington, D.C., and charged with four counts related to alleged attempts to obstruct the 2020 election.
The charges are conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a statement to CBS News, Meadows' lawyer, George Terwilliger, said that the reports of an immunity deal are "largely inaccurate." Newsweek has been unable to independently verify the ABC report and has contacted Smith's office for comment.
Rumors swirling about Meadows' motives and whether he planned to betray Trump while working for the former president have circulated on social media. Trump ally Ryan Fournier shared one such claim on Thursday, alleging that Meadows "wore a wire in the White House during the last stretch." Fournier, who is the founder for Students for Trump, has since recounted his claim after he spoke with some of his sources again.
"Now it seems that information was wrong and incorrect. In fact, two of them retracted their statements on the matter entirely," Fournier posted on X, formerly Twitter on Friday morning. "I apologize for putting something out without it not being 100% accurate. That's on me and I'll do better next time."
Fournier extended his apology to Meadows and his staff before claiming that dark forces seem to be spreading lies about Meadows.
"There seems to be some dark forces behind the scenes trying to get Meadows, and to me that is very problematic, especially when it seems like it's being sent through the grapevines by some of our own," Fournier added.
Yesterday I put up a tweet alleging that Mark Meadows wore a wire in the White House during the last stretch.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) October 27, 2023
I’ve spoke with some of my sources again, and now it seems that information was wrong and incorrect. In fact, two of them retracted their statements on the matter…
In a follow-up post, Fournier said his sources included a "former member of Congress" and "two current Members".
"Stories are changing and it's not lining up with what was originally said. So I believe it to be false and entirely fabricated by someone," Fournier posted while adding that former U.S. Representative Mark Walker, a Republican from North Carolina, was the original source for the claims.
A former member of Congress, and then it was reiterated by two current Members. Stories are changing and it’s not lining up with what was originally said.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) October 27, 2023
So I believe it to be false and entirely fabricated by someone.
Newsweek has contacted attorneys for Meadows and Trump for comment via email.
Trump also voiced his concern about Meadows' loyalty in two social media posts shared on Truth Social on Tuesday. At first, Trump said he doubted that Meadows would "lie" about advising Trump the 2020 election claims were false, but then he countered by admitting that "weaklings and cowards" might agree to divulge the information if granted immunity, although he said he didn't "think that Mark Meadows is one of them, but who really knows?"
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more