CNN panel erupts as Republicans deflect attacks that candidate wrongdoing 'doesn't matter'

A CNN panel devolved into chaos on Thursday night as a discussion became heated when a political commentator and influencer asked Republicans on the panel how the party let it itself "get to a point" where there are no consequences for how its lawmakers behave.

The discussion started over a bombshell CNN report that surfaced comments purportedly made by North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, in which an account linked to Robinson proclaimed he was a "Black Nazi" and fantasized about owning slaves.

Robinson became the topic of discussion on CNN's "NewsNight" with host Abby Phillip. At one point, her guest Leigh McGowan, a social media influencer who uses the handle PoliticsGirl, questioned how Republicans can stand by candidates accused of serious wrongdoing.

"We should feel bad if we say we're Nazis. We should feel bad if we say we like to watch 14-year-old girls in the shower. We should feel bad if we say people should be killed. We should feel bad if we say women shouldn't have the vote," she asserts.

McGowan then turned to fellow panelist Shermichael Singleton, a Republican strategist and asked, "How did your party, from a strategy position, allow itself to get to a point where it doesn't matter? That these things don't matter? That there's no consequences?"

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The aggressive line of questioning prompted an attack from Ryan Girdusky, a former Senate campaign staffer for Donald Trump's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance.

Girdusky fired back, asking what consequences former President Bill Clinton faced after he was "credibly accused of rape several times" as well as former Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, who was twice accused of domestic abuse. Clinton was endorsed by female groups, noted Girdusky, and Ellison was defended by Tim Walz and is now the state attorney general.

"There is multiple cases of Democrats doing something bad, and the party stands behind them," he said. "That happens a lot."

As Phillip tries to ask Girdusky if he is going to hold himself to the same standard, McGowan shouts twice: "But should it?!"

The panel shouts over each other for a few seconds before Phillip can regain control.

"Hang on a second. We have one conversation at the table. Not several side conversations," she warns.

Watch the clip below or at this link.