Trenton Garmon, attorney for Alabama Republican senate candidate Roy Moore, brought up MSNBC host Ali Velshi's "background" when he was asked about Moore dating teenagers.
"If Roy Moore doesn't remember, how could he say that it's definitively false? And number two, why would he need permission from any of these girls' mothers if they weren't underage?" co-host Stephanie Ruhle asked.
"That's a good question. Culturally speaking, obviously there's differences," Garmon said. "I looked up Ali's background there and wow, that's awesome that you have got such a diverse background. It's really cool to read through that. The point is this—"
Ruhle interjected and asked what does Velshi's background have to do with the situation. Velshi is a Muslim who was born in Kenya and raised in Canada.
"What does Ali's background have to do with dating a 14-year-old?" Ruhle asked.
"I'm not finished with the contents of it," Garmon said.
"Please answer. What does Ali Velshi's background have to do with dating children, 14-year-old girls?" Ruhle asked.
Garmon started to respond that in other countries there are arrangements before Ruhle interrupted again.
"Sure. In other countries there's arrangement through parents for what we would refer—," Garmon said.
"Ali's from Canada. Ali's from Canada," Ruhle said.
"I understand that. And Ali's also spent time in other countries," Garmon said.
"So have I," Ruhle said.
"It's not a bad thing," Garmon said.
"I don't know where you're going with this, Trenton," Velshi said.
Garmon continued and noted Moore would always ask the mother's permission of the girl he wanted to date, regardless of age.
"Here's to answer your question. He said no comment. So he answered no," Garmon said. "And then he went on to say his process would be before he'd date anybody, whether they're 25, 35, or whether he doesn't know their age, he would ask the mother's permission. So he actually answered no. There's no inconsistency in that."
Ruhle continue to press Garmon on whether he personally thought it was okay if a 14-year-old would date a man in his 30s and if it was appropriate for a random man to sign her yearbook. Garmon said no. The interview continued on for several minutes.
After the interview concluded, Ruhle and Velshi had some comments about Garmon bringing up Velshi's "background."
"What in the world were we talking about, other countries, and what country is it that you're from or where you visited?" Ruhle asked.
Velshi said there was nothing about his background to help him understand what point their guest was trying to make.
"Was it you were born in Kenya? A country that I also lived in that has absolutely nothing to do with any of this?" Ruhle asked. "And in fact, I feel sad for the people of Alabama who are trying so hard to get out from under a completely unfair stereotype ... Everyone in this country, no matter what community you're part of, no matter what culture you're connected to, we believe in the rule of law."
"And respect for women," Velshi added.
"Sexual misconduct with a minor in any part of this country is against the law," Ruhle said.