CNN guest sparks debate by calling host a pet name… but do you think it’s sexist?
A former Trump aide has been admonished live on air after calling a Democratic strategist “honey” during a heated debate over Matt Gaetz.
Bruce LeVell, executive director of the National Diversity Coalition during Donald Trump’s presidency, argued with Julie Roginksy on CNN.
The pair disagreed over the strength of the sex trafficking claims against Gaetz, which forced him to resign from the position of Trump’s attorney general on Thursday.
Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department after a 17-year-old girl alleged she was trafficked to have sex with the former congresswoman in 2017.
LeVell noted that the DoJ decided not to file charges against Gaetz because the investigation showed “there was nothing.”
But Roginksy insisted that did not mean the alleged misconduct had not occurred.
“They said they didn’t have enough to press charges – that shouldn’t be the norm,” Roginksy said.
“No, to attack, honey,” LeVell shot back, sending the panel into an uproar.
Bruce LeVell (right), executive director of the National Diversity Coalition during Donald Trump’s presidency, argued with Democratic strategist Julie Roginksy (left) on CNN
‘Best? Excuse me? Well, thanks for the misogyny,” Roginksy replied, before host Abby Phillip stepped in to dress LeVell.
‘I’m just going to stop it, because we’re not going to get off track. Please don’t address an adult woman in a condescending tone as dear, don’t do that at my table. You can continue,” she said.
LeVell seemed embarrassed when Phillip warned him, but said nothing other than “OK” and the panel moved on.
The exchange took place on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip on Wednesday, but sparked outrage online after it was later posted on social media.
Gaetz was also investigated by the House Ethics Committee over the sex trafficking claim and other alleged misconduct.
He resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him as attorney general, days before the commission’s report was ready, meaning it may never see the light of day.
Phillip has become more proactive in engaging in heated discussions on her show since kicking out a guest last month.
Republican commentator Ryan Girdusky disappeared from the panel after telling Muslim panelist Mehdi Hasan, “I hope your pager doesn’t go off.”
Abby Phillip stepped in to dress LeVell live on air as he writhed in embarrassment
Matt Geatz was investigated by the Justice Department after a 17-year-old girl claimed she was trafficked to have sex with the former congressman in 2017
His joke was in reference to the Mossad operation to kill Hezbollah members by detonating explosives hidden in their pagers, which killed 42 people in Lebanon.
“Did your guy just say I should be killed on live TV?” Hasan asked Phillip, and CNN abruptly went to commercial.
When the show returned, Girdusky was gone and Phillip read an apology. Girdusky was banned from appearing on CNN again.