Cheney to Guthrie on Trump-backed primary challengers: “Bring it on”

Interview to Air on TODAY Thursday, May 13, Portions to Air on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Wednesday, May 12 

NEW YORK — May 12, 2021 — In an NBC News exclusive, Rep. Liz Cheney sat down with Savannah Guthrie in Washington D.C. for her first interview since the vote to remove her from her position as GOP Conference chair. 

Cheney told Guthrie, “I intend to be the leader, one of the leaders, in a fight to help to restore our party.”  On Trump-backed primary challengers, Cheney told Guthrie, “Bring it on.”  

The interview will air tomorrow on TODAY, Thursday, May 13 with portions airing tonight, Wednesday, May 12 on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

An excerpt from the interview (transcript/link) is below. If used, please credit NBC News with interview airdate of Thursday, May 13 on TODAY.  

EXCERPT LINK: https://on.today.com/3uCizgR

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Are you the leader of the opposition in exile right now in the Republican party?

CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY: I intend to be the leader, one of the leaders, in a fight to help to restore our party, in a fight to bring our party back to substance and principles, and in a fight to make clear that we won’t participate in the really dangerous effort that’s under way.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: A lot of people frame this as a battle for the soul of the Republican party.

LIZ CHENEY: This is the, I think, opening salvo in that battle and it’s a battle we have to win– because it’s not just about the Republican party. It’s about the country.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: The Trump political team is actively looking to coalesce around a primary challenger to you. What is your message to them?

LIZ CHENEY: You know– bring it on. 

The interview will be available on TODAY.com following the broadcast. Additional segments will air throughout the day across MSNBC and TODAY’s Digital properties. 

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