'Lifestyles of the rich and famous?' Fox host scoffs at argument to disqualify Fani Willis

01 March 2024

Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in Fulton County, Georgia made their closing arguments in court on Friday to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. But one of their main arguments was met with skepticism from a Fox News primetime host.

During the hearing, defense lawyers argued that Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade — whom she admitted to dating in 2023 after he was hired onto her team — recklessly spent tax dollars during a trip to California's Napa Valley. Even though that area is known for pricey hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons, Willis and Wade stayed at the Doubletree (which had rooms available from $87 as of March 1). Jessica Tarlov, who is a co-host of Fox News' The Five, wasn't impressed by the relatively working-class accommodations the two lawyers selected.

"Even if you show a 'conflict of interest,' either the semblance or the appearance of impropriety, or a direct one, and I don't think, now that we found that they were staying at the Doubletree in Napa — remember we were talking about caviar — they went back to a Doubletree! Is that the lifestyles of the rich and famous?" Tarlov asked.

"Maybe Nathan paid for the hotel and she paid for the wine tasting," co-host Jesse Watters countered.

"Well, doesn't it have to be the other way for this to have worked out the way the Trump team is arguing?" Tarlov said.

Attorney Ashleigh Merchant — who is representing Trump co-defendant Michael Roman — first alleged that Willis carried on an inappropriate relationship with Wade that constituted a conflict of interest, arguing that she hired him based on their romantic relationship rather than on merit. Both Merchant and Trump attorney Steve Sadow hoped to have Wade's former associate, Terrence Bradley, confirm on the witness stand earlier this week that Willis and Wade dated before he was hired. However, when under oath, Bradley said he was only "speculating" and had no recollection of when the two prosecutors first began their relationship.

After closing arguments concluded on Friday, Judge Scott McAfee said he would issue a decision on whether to disqualify Willis in the next two weeks.

Watch Tarlov's comments below, or by clicking this link.

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