Ben Carson struggled his way through an interview on financial topics. The Republican presidential candidate was a guest on NPR’s Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal, Wednesday, where he was asked his stance on raising the debt ceiling. The country is expected to hit the debt limit next month. Carson was asked whether the ceiling should be raised to avoid defaulting on debts the country has previously incurred. Instead of responding to that question, he said he would “not sign an increased budget.” Ryssdal repeatedly tried to clarify the question.
Ryssdal: To be clear, it’s increasing the debt limit, not the budget, but I want to make sure I understand you. You’d let the United States default rather than raise the debt limit.
Carson: No, I would provide the kind of leadership that says, “Get on the stick guys, and stop messing around, and cut where you need to cut, because we’re not raising any spending limits, period.”
Ryssdal: I’m gonna try one more time, sir. This is debt that’s already obligated. Would you not favor increasing the debt limit to pay the debts already incurred?
Carson: What I’m saying is what we have to do is restructure the way that we create debt. I mean if we continue along this, where does it stop? It never stops.
The interview is the latest in a series of recent gaffes for the famed surgeon who recently came under fire for comments about Muslims, police shootings, and the Oregon massacre.
Listen to the full interview.