During their show this morning, MSNBC anchors Stephanie Ruhle and Ali Velshi were taken aback when Trenton Garmon, an attorney for embattled Alabama Senate nominee Roy Moore, tried to connect Velshi’s background with cultural acceptance of adults dating minors, with their parents’ approval, in Alabama.
“It is great you’ve got a diverse background,” Garmon said to Velshi. “It’s cool to read through that.”
“What does Ali’s background have to do with dating a 14-year-old?,” Ruhle asked.
Garmon continued: “In other countries there’s arrangement through parents for what we would refer to as consensual marriage.”
“Ali’s from Canada,” Ruhle interrupted. “Ali’s also spent time in other countries,” said Garmon.
Finally, Velshi jumped in: “I’m not sure where you’re going with this, Trenton.”
Roy Moore's Attny. Trenton Garmon suggests Ali Velshi's "background" would help him understand why Moore would date underage women — @AliVelshi is from Canada pic.twitter.com/e061tiz9Nx
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 15, 2017