On Hot Mic, Clinton Says Media ‘Can’t Stop Covering’ Trump

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews are photographed during a break in taping of a Town Hall with Chris Matthews' “Hardball” for MSNBC, at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Il... Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews are photographed during a break in taping of a Town Hall with Chris Matthews' “Hardball” for MSNBC, at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill, Monday, March 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) MORE LESS
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During a break at MSNBC’s Democratic presidential town hall, a hot mic captured Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews discussing why the media covers Donald Trump and why politicians have thrown their support behind the real estate mogul’s presidential bid.

“Man, you guys can’t stop covering about him. I mean, he is a dangerous presence and, you know, it’s just like candy by the bushel,” Clinton said, referring to Trump, according to audio captured by the Washington Post.

“We dip into him, dip out of him,” Matthews replied.

He said that MSNBC has a “progressive audience,” but that “nobody can tell” what people want to watch.

Clinton then said that “people must think they want to watch him.” Matthews chimed in to say that people can “laugh at him.”

The conversation then turned to an individual who has supported Trump. The audio does not make it clear to whom Clinton and Matthews are referring, but both the Washington Post and Buzzfeed News reported that the two were discussing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“Why did he support him?” Clinton asked Matthews.

“It gets them chatting,” Matthews replied, adding that they “want a future.”

“Did he have a debt or something?” Clinton wondered.

Matthews brought up Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), arguing that he prevents Christie from having a political future in New Jersey.

“Cory Booker’s not going anywhere. There’s nowhere for Christie to go — unless Menendez has to go,” Matthews said.

“I don’t think he would win right now,” Clinton responded.

“Not in Jersey, no,” Matthews said. “I don’t think he can win as a Senate candidate either.”

Matthews and Clinton then briefly discussed Ben Carson, who Matthews said has a “Tommy Smothers voice.”

Listen to the audio at the Washington Post.

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