A heated exchange on CNN's "NewsNight" with host Abby Phillip devolved into a shouting match on Thursday evening when a political analyst lost his composure after a Republican pundit deflected criticism of President Donald Trump's trip to China by invoking former President Joe Biden.
The segment quickly spiraled into a clash between John Avlon, a former Democratic candidate in New York, and Joe Borelli, a former Republican lawmaker in New York, as the panel debated who the "big dog" was in U.S.-China relations.
Borelli claimed that Trump was leading the charge in China because Xi had not told him directly that he would try to take over Taiwan, as he did to Biden. Things began to unravel when Avlon countered by arguing that Borelli was telling pure fiction.
"Joe, you've forgotten that Biden actually was routinely criticized for taking too tough a line on China and Taiwan," Avlon said. "So the exact opposite of what you said."
"What did he do after he was told?" Borelli shot back, suggesting that Biden's response to Xi's threat was weak.
"Oh my god!" Avlon exclaimed. "You're totally missing the point."
Among the crosstalk, Avlon added that Borelli needed to "go to Google" and read about Biden's response. Borelli picked up his phone and claimed he already had.
