'Guys, pause!' CNN host breaks up skirmish over Trump-endorsed 'dirtbag primary'

CNN host Audie Cornish had to break up an argument on-air Wednesday morning as pundits hurled insults over the value of President Donald Trump's endorsement.

Anti-trans activist Terry Schilling spurred the heated debate when he questioned why Trump had thrown his support behind scandal-plagued candidates in GOP primaries.

"Look, I don't know muchabout Chuck Edwards – oh, I actually do," Schilling said, referring to a former North Carolina congressman who dropped out of his race over sexual misconduct allegations. "Yeah, well, look,[Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), I don't thinkthe campaign finance violationshad anything to do with [his primary loss]. Ithink those are other things.But, look, [Rep.] Cory Mills (R-FL) deservedto lose. He should have lost.Trump never should have endorsedhim."

Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright interrupted to underline the fact that Trump had endorsed Mills despite allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic violence against him, and he said that was part of a pattern.

"Thepresident endorsed him, heendorsed Ken Paxton, he'sstanding by [Rep.] Max Miller (R-OH)," Seawright said. "Sothere's consistent pattern ofbehavior from this president andthe serious allegations. Quitefrankly, I know Democrats whohave resigned from their seat,who've been dismissed fromtheir seats for less seriousallegations, and I think theparty of family values have someserious evaluations to do."

Schilling begged to differ.

"I just think you're doingyourself a disservice to notdistinguish between thosepeople," Schilling interjected. "Ken Paxton stands a farand above all those othercandidates because he's been aconservative warrior."

Seawright was incredulous, and he asked whether Paxton's political bona fides outweighed his indictment for securities fraud, bribery allegations, impeachment and acquittal and marital infidelity.

"So you're saying so you're saying Ken Paxton, with all of his baggage–" Seawright said.

Schilling cut in: "What I'm saying is voters care about what you're going to do in office."

"I just want to make sure Ihear you clearly," Seawright snapped back. "You're saying Ken Paxton with all of hisbaggage. You're saying thatdoes not matter, just based on his conservative record?"

"Yes, absolutely," Schilling insisted. "What we are saying is thatwhat we care about is theresults we get while in office."

"So youdon't care about the affairs?" Seawright laughed. "You don't care about the baggage?"

"Guys – pause," Cornish cut in. "Lucky for you, this Congress, there's a spectrum betweenbiblical divorce, outrightdomestic violence, and a lot inbetween, and unfortunately, inthis, I don't know what to callit – dirtbag primary. There area lot of people who haveallegations of one kind or another, and sexual misconductagainst women."

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