'Why do you say that's not accurate?' CNN host squabbles with GOP lawmaker over new report

Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-FL) said he doubted the "accuracy" of a CNN anchor's reporting about a possible tax hike for the wealthy as part of President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' spending bill.

"A source I spoke to confirmed that President Trump raised the idea of higher taxes for the wealthy during a phone call with House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this week," Brown began. "And in a new social media post this morning, the president suggested that he's open to the idea, but acknowledged the political risk that it would pose to Republican lawmakers."

Brown said Trump wants a "top income bracket for people making more than $2.5 million per year for taxes" and "wants to tax income above that level at 39.6%."

Giménez said he wasn't yet convinced that a tax hike on the wealthy was a good idea.

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"Look, we're talking about really rich people, okay? I mean, with a lot of money, okay?" Giménez said. "And, so...if we increase that rate on them, how much would it really hurt investment? How much would it hurt job creation? And those are the things that I'm trying to get my head around because even though they do make a lot of money, they also are the ones that create a lot of jobs."

Giménez then questioned Brown's reporting.

"It's interesting that the president said he's open to the idea also, and he's discussed it, apparently, with the speaker. I'm not sure that that's completely accurate, but I'm going to take your word for it."

"Well, why do you say that's not accurate?" Brown asked. "Because, I mean, I spoke to someone this morning who did confirm it."

Brown added that "it had been previously reported in The New York Times, and the president himself did put out a Truth Social post."

Giménez rolled his eyes before answering, "I'm not saying that he didn't do that. I'm just saying, did he have that discussion with the speaker? I haven't heard of that myself, okay? And so I've got to make sure that that's true, okay?" Giménez said.

Watch the clip below via CNN or click here.