'Just asking': CNN host presses GOP lawmaker on taxpayer money 'paying' for Gaza

Republican Rep. Tim Burchett (R-KY) snipped at John Berman Thursday as the CNN anchor tried to ask how he would feel about the U.S. "owning" Gaza.

At the top of the interview, Berman asked, "How much would you be willing to pay for Gaza?"

"Well, I think what the president is saying is, first of all, you've got bomb disposal that has to be taken care of," Burchett said, adding, "I think what President Trump is saying, it's not going to be an American territory. I believe he's saying, 'Let American capitalists get in there and turn that area around.'"

"Well, he wasn't talking just about bomb disposal," Berman said. "He was talking about a long-term ownership position. Those were his exact words two days ago. And this morning, just a short time ago, he said the Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States — turned over to the United States — by Israel at the conclusion — I'm just asking you, how much of the U.S. budget do you think should be devoted to that?"

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"Again, if y'all want me to talk, I will," Burchett said, causing Berman to pause and raise his eyebrows.

Burchett continued, "But that what he was saying, in my opinion, was that Americans would possibly have ownership in it, just like the Chinese have ownership in farm property in this country and in vital property near our military installations. I don't hear anybody raising cain about that. We ought to have the same opportunity there as the Chinese have in this country, and that's plenty."

"I hear what you're saying," Berman said, continuing, "Would you be willing to commit U.S. taxpayer dollars to ownership of parts of Gaza?"

"I don't want our military over there. I don't want boots on the ground that gets our people killed and gets into another conflict, which we don't need to be in and we can't afford," Burchett said. "I think, again, if American entrepreneurs want to invest over there, I think it's a great opportunity and i think it could turn that area around for those folks over there and get rid of some of their worthless leadership."

Watch the clip below via CNN or click the link.