‘Let’s Not’: Abby Phillip Calls Out Scott Jennings for Accusing Guest of Being ‘Angry’

A spat between Scott Jennings and Gretchen Carlson took a turn after the Republican operative accused Carlson of being “angry” during a spirited debate on Wednesday night.

The topic in question was a just-published Wall Street Journal report stating that Tesla’s board of directors explored options for replacing CEO Elon Musk amid his adventures in Washington. President Donald Trump named Musk as the leader of the “Department of Government Efficiency,” which laid off thousands of federal workers and froze congressionally appropriated funds. Musk’s support of Trump and role in the government have done major damage to Tesla’s brand and stock price, as have the sweeping tariffs Trump imposed this month.

Musk said his “DOGE” organization would “save” the government at least $1 trillion. However, according to one analysis, DOGE has “saved” $160 billion while costing taxpayers $135 billion.

On CNN NewsNight, Jennings said he spoke with a Trump cabinet official who said DOGE’s biggest impact may have been in the realm of information technology.

“And he said, ‘These guys showed up over here, and they made a huge impact on our IT infrastructure, which then allowed us to clear out a backlog of outstanding issues that we were just having trouble,'” Jennings claimed.

Carlson interjected to note that IT was not DOGE’s stated mission. Matters devolved from there, as host Abby Phillip interrupted to scold Jennings for calling Carlson “angry”:

CARLSON: [M]ost Americans would agree that they want to get rid of fraud and waste. And now you’re saying that the greatest accomplishment of DOGE was that they’ve solved IT problems?

JENNINGS: And I spoke to another cabinet secretary yesterday who said this has been a, quote, “wonderful accelerant.”

CARLSON: So what?

JENNINGS: This continues.

CARLSON: Politicians say whatever they say to be able to put on a good face.

JENNINGS: Why are you so angry?

CARLSON: I’m not angry. I’m frustrated.

JENNINGS: You look enraged. I don’t understand.

CARLSON: I’m frustrated like most Americans because we want to know where the cuts are.

PHILLIP: Gretchen, let me just hit pause here. I mean, look. People get worked up at this table, [to Jennings] yourself included.

JENNINGS: Eh.

PHILLIP: All the time.

CARLSON: Thank you.

JENNINGS: I don’t get worked up all the time.

PHILLIP: Let’s not call people angry when they’re simply making a point, ok?

JENNINGS: Well, she’s very upset.

PHILLIP: Like, I just have to say that because I think that–

[CROSSTALK]

PHILLIP: Scott and Gretchen, just give me one second. Let’s deal with the issues at hand. We don’t have to, you know, say, “You’re angry, you’re, you know, this.” She’s just making a point, ok?

With that, the segment wrapped.

Watch above via CNN.