A fiery debate broke out on a CNN panel after a Trump loyalist argued whose face belongs on money.
Members of a panel hosted by CNN anchor Abby Phillip reacted to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing that the Trump administration does not plan to put Harriet Tubman's face on the $20 bill. The Obama administration first revealed plans to immortalize the historical figure, who led slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, and the Biden administration revived those plans.
"Look, you put faces on money to commemorate American icons," Trump loyalist Brianna Lyman said. "There are only a limited number of bills, one, two, five, ten, 20, 100, fifty, so there has to be a very selective process."
She then argued in favor of the current face of the $20 bill, Andrew Jackson, who "saved the union during the Nullification Crisis. He was a war hero in 1815. He actually vetoed the second charter of the bank, which was seen at the time as a way to take power away from the rich and elites."
Phillip asked Lyman what the argument is against having Tubman on the $20 bill, and Lyman quickly shot back, "What's the argument for Harriet Tubman?"
"What's the argument for Harriet Tubman?" Phillip responded, seeming shocked. "Do we have to do a history lesson?"
Democratic strategist and former Kamala Harris campaign advisor Mike Nellis, who sat next to Lyman on the panel, threw his hands up and asked, "What's the argument for Donald Trump getting a $250 bill?"
Phillip argued, "If you're a conservative, you should love Harriet Tubman. She was a gun-toting abolitionist. She was an everyday American hero."
Nellis agreed, saying, "Harriet Tubman represents everything that Donald Trump is not, right? There's somebody who put her body on the line, who was a regular person."
Lyman interrupted, arguing, "Donald Trump was shot and nearly killed for trying to be president," to which Nellis reacted, "Oh, stop, my god."
Conservative radio host Jason Rantz, who was also on the panel, suggested putting Tubman on another bill, to which Phillip responded, "Put her on the $250!"
