CNN’s Scott Jennings Scolded On Air For ‘Laughing’ About Anti-Vax ‘Violence’: ‘A Police Officer Is Dead’
CNN GOP analyst Scott Jennings was scolded by a guest for “laughing” when she said vaccine misinformation inspires “violence” — and cited the recent CDC shooting that claimed the life of a police officer.
Trump HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. came under criticism after a vaccine skeptic shot up the CDC, including from Dr. Susan Monarez, the CDC director President Donald Trump is trying to fire under protest. A raft of senior officials have resigned in the wake of the director’s ouster.
On Thursday’s edition of CNN NewsNight, anchor Abby Phillip hosted a panel comprised of Jennings, S.E. Cupp, Pete Seat, Jennifer Welch, Dr. Chris Pernell, and Donte Mills to talk about the fallout.
Several panelists ganged up on Jennings for focusing on the inclusive language used by one of the resignees, vaccine chief Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, instead of the “misinformation and disinformation” from RFK Jr.
Dr. Pernell scolded Jennings when he guffawed at the notion that misinformation incites violence:
JENNINGS: I don’t understand why you’re rejecting this criticism of someone’s credibility.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: I, yeah, because I think that what matters to people in their homes —
(CROSSTALK)
PERNELL: Yes.
PHILLIP: — is whether or not they know what immunizations their child should have, which by the way, immunizations have saved so many lives.
(CROSSTALK)
JENNINGS: I’m not disagreeing with you about that. I agree with you.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: What matters to them around the world is not what words are being used by people —
(CROSSTALK)
JENNINGS: Oh, I think it does matter because it tells me what kind of person he is.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: — but it is whether or not they can trust that the guy who’s making decisions about their health actually knows what a mitochondria is.
PERNELL: Yes. And when we focus on, you know, imbecilic things such as that, that’s why people are then subject to misinformation and disinformation, and they resort to violence, Scott. There was just a —
(CROSSTALK)
JENNINGS: (SCOFFS) Violence?
PERNELL: It’ not — violence. This is not a laughing matter!
PHILLIP: There was a shooting at the CDC.
(CROSSTALK)
PERNELL: There was a shooting at the CDC. A police officer is dead! There are people rejecting the fact that people are being kidnapped on the street.
(CROSSTALK)
JENNINGS: There’s attacks on ICE agents every day. Who’s responsible for that? You seem to reject the idea that violence is being incited before. Now, you’re blaming this for violence? You just cherry pick these things like —
(CROSSTALK)
UNKNOWN: You’re the biggest cherry picker on television. (CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: Scott —
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: Hold on a second.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: Hold on a second. Scott, there is nobody who is justifying attacks against ICE officials. There — and nobody should justify or diminish somebody shooting hundreds of bullets —
(CROSSTALK)
JENNINGS: I’m not. It’s terrible.
PHILLIP: — into a workplace where people are doing —
(CROSSTALK)
PERNELL: Where people are trying to save lives. Where people are practicing public health.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: I don’t understand why that would even be a comparison that you would make honestly.
CUPP: It’s a great way to not answer the question.
Watch above via CNN NewsNight.
