CNN Host Mocks House Dems For ‘Choose Your Fighter’ TikTok Video: ‘What’s The Point?!’

CNN host Abby Phillip mocked House Democrats for their attempt at a viral TikTok “Choose Your Fighter” trend, agreeing that while the video pulled viewers she could not see why the party would “invite ridicule.”

The video, posted by TikTok influencer Sulhee Jessica Woo, features Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Lauren Underwood, Katherine Clark, Judy Chu, and Susie Lee.

Each jumps into the frame as their accomplishments and “skills” flash on screen in a style mimicking classic video game character selection menu.

Ocasio-Cortez, for example, was introduced as the “youngest woman and Latina elected to the House” with “Trekkie” as one of her listed skills. Crockett, an attorney and public defender, admitted she’s “not a morning person.” House Minority Whip Clark added that she’s “not into hair dye,” while Nevada’s Lee cited “2 sprained fingers” as part of her personal highlights.

Soon after release the video circulated on other social media platforms where it was pummeled by users across the political spectrum as performative and “cringe.”

On Thursday’s NewsNight, Phillip was not buying the idea of the video at all:

I don’t even know where to begin. I’m not sure why this is necessary. I mean, there is, like, serious stuff happening in this country, but that seems to be just inviting ridicule.

In response, panelist Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) defended the video as “lighthearted” and “creative” way to reach “different voters” but the host pushed back again:

I guess my question is to what end? I don’t get it. Like, I don’t get it. I mean, maybe you will get 7 million eyeballs. But like what is the point?

Conservative co-panelist Scott Jennings agreed and slammed the video as the “dumbest thing” he’d “ever seen.”

He added: “Scrambling for new social media and communication strategies is not a replacement for fixing what’s actually wrong. Your party has a 21 percent approval rating right now, Congressional Democrats.”

Watch above via CNN.