A spirited debate on one of CNN’s primetime shows — over the cascade of political issues swirling around the 2024 election, President Donald Trump’s executive actions, and his recent remarks — quickly wandered off course when accusations of racism crept into the conversation.
The on-air exchange happened Wednesday on CNN’s “NewsNight” when journalist Cari Champion butted heads with Republicans on the roundtable when she said the defining issue of the 2024 election “was never about eggs, it was about race.”
“It’s not about eggs, it’s about making sure there is white supremacy in this country,” Champion said. "And if we’re honest, we will say that.”
That elicited verbal reactions from longtime GOP insider Scott Jennings and Rudy Guiliani's attorney Arthur Aidala. But Jennings was first to pounce after being challenged on what diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, actually meant.
“I do want us to not get off the rails because…” CNN host Abby Phillip jumped in to say.
“She just said we’re all white supremacists,” Jennings said. “We’ve got to address this don’t we?”
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Moments later, Jennings complained about how MAGA supporters have been treated.
“We’re treated to similar comments to what Cari made tonight about race, white supremacy, all of Trump’s ideology and people and voters – it’s all about white supremacy – this was rejected in the election,” Jennings said.
“Democrats ran...this was the animating thing of the Harris campaign and it was rejected,” Jennings added.
When Champion questioned his assertion the issue was rejected at the ballot box, the Republican strategist retorted: “I am constantly shocked at what you're not aware of.”
“I’m constantly shocked at what you’re not aware of!” Champion said between laughs. “You’re not aware of a lot too my friend.”
Jennings continued to insert conservative talking points related to Trump’s November election victory before circling back to Champion’s earlier comment.
“If you're going to come out and call half the country a white supremacist, you’ve got to explain it.”
Champion defended her position by saying Jennings was mischaracterizing her comments but got in one last point.
“What he ran on was making America great again, which is another code word,” she said.
