CNN Anchor Hits Back At Trump Spox For Lashing Out Over ‘Basic Questions’

CNN anchor Pamela Brown hit back at Trump State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce for lashing out at what Brown described as “basic questions” about the Ukraine negotiations.

Talks to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have stalled as President Donald Trump tried to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war (he didn’t) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has threatened to “move on” from the talks over the lack of progress after a “final” US proposal that included letting Russia keep Crimea and other captured territory.

On Wednesday’s edition of CNN’s The Situation Room, Brown pressed Bruce about statements Rubio and Zelensky have made in public, and Bruce accused Brown of being unfair and playing to “ratings”:

PAMELA BROWN: Zelensky himself said that he will not accept Russia controlling Crimea, which is part of the U.S. Proposal.

In 2014, then-Senator Rubio, now Secretary of State, said, quote, “It’s quite shocking and frankly outrageous how they’re getting away with this,” talking about Russia’s invasion of Crimea.

By making Russian control part of the Peace Deal proposal, is the U S letting Russia get away with it?

TAMMY BRUCE: Let me, let’s. Let’s make something quite clear here. This is not going to be discussed on TV, not between you or me.

It’s not going be a discussion over TV or television or dinner or anywhere else.

These are, President Zelensky, I respect a great deal. And he’s going to say what he needs to say. But there’s a reason why you do want to be able to sit down and talk.

And it’s why the Secretary has been committed to that constantly for the last 100 days. It has been a hallmark of his secretariat up to this point. Getting to peace and ceasefires is a hall mark and a North Star of President Trump’s administration.

And it’s working because it’s not a debate on television. It’s a discussion between the men and women who have an impact on this and can make decisions.

And again, you’ll hear these leaders say things independently in op-eds or to television anchors, but what matters is when they sit down. And this has been happening, and it’s going to continue to happen.

And of course, we will see, as the Secretary has said–.

PAMELA BROWN: How long will it continue, though?

TAMMY BRUCE: Well, that is what Secretary Rubio has already pointed to, and that it will not go on forever. It will not on for months. But it’s a matter of what these individuals, just a minute–.

These individuals what they know in their private conversations through diplomatic negotiations and conversations and meetings is not something that is fair to discuss on television, speculate about or muse about.

Their success is based on their actions and it does not come from a conversation like this on television.

(CROSSTALK)

PAMELA BROWN: Secretary Rubio made the comments himself and J.D. Vance that–.

TAMMY BRUCE: I’ve answered this!

PAMELA BROWN: –they’re willing to walk away.

TAMMY BRUCE: –And I’ve said– look–.

PAMELA BROWN: And you have Ukraine saying that it would not agree to a key part of the U.S. Proposal. So it is very fair to ask about that and depress about that. So it is very fair to ask about that and to press about that.

TAMMY BRUCE: Let me just say, and I’ve answered you multiple times about the difference between genuine negotiations, which the president has of course encouraged and his vision involves that.

Secretary Rubio has of of course engaged in that, as has the president with Putin of Russia.

But for you, I know you want to have a sense of what ratings might be or pulling people in.

PAMELA BROWN: No, it’s not that. We’re just trying to get answers for our viewers, it’s not any of that.

TAMMY BRUCE: Of course it is!

(CROSSTALK).

TAMMY BRUCE: And we will not have this debate, certainly it’s going to be a negotiation between you and me and you know that, I know that and the audience should know that this is a dynamic that is very different than this kind of an exchange, which is unfortunate.

PAMELA BROWN: You are the State Department spokesperson. It is very fair for me to ask you basic questions about what has been said publicly.

So I also want to go up to what’s going on at the State department.

(CROSSTALK).

Okay, but some of your, you didn’t answer some of my questions, which is why I followed up, which is my job.

I want to ask about the shakeup– I answerted them, just not the way you wanted me to. That’s the difference.

TAMMY BRUCE: Okay, that’s not true. Let me ask you about what is going on.

Of course it’s true.

PAMELA BROWN: Tammy, let me ask you what is going on within the State Department. It doesn’t help anyone, any of our viewer unless I can get the question out.

Watch above via CNN’s The Situation Room.