Scott Jennings melts down as CNN guest says Republicans ‘cheat’ when they can’t win

A tense exchange on CNN played out Friday night when podcast host Tezlyn Figaro accused Republicans of rigging the system whenever they face electoral trouble – prompting immediate pushback from conservative commentator Scott Jennings.

The fireworks began during a discussion about the growing number of retirements on Capitol Hill when Figaro argued that GOP-led map changes in states like Texas amounted to cheating.

“If Republicans can’t win, they cheat,” Figaro said flatly, repeating the accusation multiple times as a clearly agitated Jennings attempted to interrupt – even as he appeared to battle a hoarse voice.

“How?” he asked, objecting to the use of the word “cheating” and insisting Republicans had followed the legal process.

“What is cheating about it?” he demanded, arguing that redistricting disputes are routinely settled through courts and accusing Democrats of the same thing. Figaro, who reminded the longtime Republican insider that she was an independent, was unmoved, countering that Republicans often rely on GOP-friendly judges and drawn-out legal battles to get their way – which she insisted, “is also called cheating.”

As the exchange continued, Jennings accused Figaro of painting the entire U.S. political system as corrupt. “No, that’s not what I said,” she replied. “I said if Republicans can’t win, they cheat. Not the entire political system – just Republicans.”

The back-and-forth quickly turned personal, with the two talking over one another. “You talk in circles,” Jennings said, adding, “Are you dizzy?”

“No, actually, I’m not. We can keep going,” Figaro, a political consultant, said. And the tension didn’t end there. After a commercial break, the pair clashed again during a separate segment about President Donald Trump renaming the Kennedy Center.

“You're still in the circle, you're still on the track, keep going!” Jennings said with a laugh.

“And I'm going to keep going…keep following me. We're going to get it. That's why I'm sitting right next to you,” Figaro replied. “I flew in just for you.”

“I’m worn out already,” Jennings added.