Donald Trump’s longtime ally Roger Stone predicted that he could declare his candidacy for reelection as early as next week.
Wednesday, during a conversation with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, Stone implied that the information had originated from Trump-related sources.
“I think he announces sooner rather than later,” Stone opined. “I think he announces as early as July.”
Stone also disparaged Gov. Ron DeSantis, a prospective Trump rival (R-FL).
“DeSantis needs to stick to his knitting and get reelected governor before he can move out openly in a presidential campaign,” Stone claimed. “I do think he is sizing up taking on the champ.”
“Trump easily dispatches all comers,” he added. “It’s his race to lose.”
“You mean, in like a week, he could be announcing?” Jones exclaimed. “Wow!”
According to emails and interviews, the Justice Department and the House committee looking into the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 asked Danish filmmakers for video footage they had shot while following Trump and Stone in the weeks before the 2020 election.
The investigators have repeatedly asked for access to a 170-hour archive of video taken for director Christoffer Guldbrandsen’s impending documentary on Stone, the pioneer of the “Stop the Steal” movement that culminated in the protests before the attack on January 6.
According to reports, the movie detailed Stone’s activities that day, including those inside the Willard hotel, where he was staying with numerous other Trump supporters. The video demonstrated Stone’s interactions with far-right leaders using an encrypted messaging app, despite his claims to have been in touch with Donald Trump at the time.
“These are legitimate and important investigations, not only for Americans but for anyone in a democracy, but our independence from government and law enforcement is impossible to compromise,” Guldbrandsen said in an interview.
Stone has denied having any involvement in the Capitol attack. He invoked his right against self-incrimination in order to decline to provide the House committee with testimony and evidence. He has filed lawsuits against the panelists and AT&T in an effort to stop the demand for his phone records.
“Any claim, assertion or implication that I knew about, was involved in or condoned any illegal event on January 6, or any other date, is categorically false,” Stone said last month.
