A MAGA pundit melted down during a CNN roundtable debate about where the GOP draws the line when it comes to supporting controversial candidates.
The discussion started with a clip of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) defending Texas congressional candidate Brandon Herrera, despite disparaging comments about women and videos of him goosestepping to songs used by neo-Nazis. Johnson campaigned and fundraised for him and defended his endorsement of Herrera by noting that he apologized.
Jesse Arm, the vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, argued that despite the GOP's support for Herrera, the party doesn't have a problem with electing extremists. He said that the proof is the ouster of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, whom he called "two bigots."
However, MeidasTouch reporter Adam Mockler pushed back on Arm's comments. He asked Arm if he would denounce Paul Ingrassia, the acting general counsel for the U.S. General Services Administration, because of his admission that he has a "Nazi streak." Mockler noted that Ingrassia hasn't apologized for the comments.
Arm had no idea who Mockler was talking about. Arm was clueless at various points during his hour-long appearance on the CNN roundtable and admitted to not knowing what the panel was talking about when it brought up how the Trump administration is selling wild horses for slaughter and consumption abroad.
When Mockler asked Arm if Ingrassia should resign, Arm said, "Well, I don't know the first thing about him. Those are not my cup of tea."
Mockler kept on the pressure, noting that Arm talked "a lot about socialism and extremism. So you should know about the extremism on your side, too."
"I do," Arm said, starting to get flustered. "I don't know who that guy is you just came up. Who is this guy? You just came up with him out of literally nowhere."
"He's a Nazi in the Trump administration," Mockler responded.
Arm then began to shout at Mockler, "Okay, let's play the same game!" and began to demand Mockler denounce Abdul El-Sayed, Adam Hamawy, and Melat Kiros. However, host Abby Phillip stepped in.
"Actually, Jesse, I think those are all very good points," she said about Mockler's questions. "Let's not play a game of whataboutism. I mean, if all those things are condemnable in your view, Mike Johnson would agree with you. Why is it that these guys are running as candidates in good standing?"
The response reduced Arm to stammering.
