While part of a political spokesperson’s job is to ensure the message of the person they represent is communicated effectively, Donald Trump’s spokesperson has now suggested his comments should not be taken “literally”.
Kellyanne Conway was brought in as Mr Trump’s campaign manager in August to help improve the perception of the 70-year-old among female voters.
Appearing on CNN, Ms Conway was asked about claims he made during Sunday evening’s debate, which he then repeated at a rally days later, that Hillary Clinton should “go to jail”.
“[Trump] is talking about going around the Democratic process I mean talking about jailing your political opponent is something […]” reporter Briana Keilar began.
“No he’s not, he’s talking about the result,” Ms Conway said. “No he’s not. You’re taking it literally. You’re just stuck on this one thing.
“In other words, what you are saying, you’re saying that [Mr Trump] had to stop and stay, ‘Here’s how you get to jail, here’s the price.’ That’s completely ridiculous, he’s talking about what a lot of Americans want to know why the heck this woman wasn’t punished at all and why news outlets like this one thing that’s ok.”
During the heated second presidential debate, Mr Trump told Ms Clinton: “If I win, I’m going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation because there never been so many lies.”
Ms Clinton responded: “It’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.”
“Because you’d be in jail,” Mr Trump replied.
