“Do Not Address a Grown Woman as ‘Dear,'” CNN Anchor Rebukes Republican Ally During Heated Debate
Photo Screenshot by CNN Video
A tense exchange unfolded on CNN’s NewsNight when anchor Abby Phillip reprimanded a Republican guest for a condescending remark during a heated discussion about allegations involving former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
The discussion stemmed from a New York Times report detailing a “web” of financial transactions that federal investigators traced between Gaetz and multiple women, including allegations of payments for sex. The report claims investigators documented Venmo payments linked to Gaetz and his associates from 2017 to 2020, which were allegedly used to pay women at drug-fueled sex parties, including one participant who was 17 at the time.
Michael Schmidt’s report described the investigators’ findings: “The document, assembled by investigators during a three-year sex-trafficking investigation into Mr. Gaetz, is a chart that shows a web of thousands of dollars in Venmo payments between Mr. Gaetz and a group of his friends, associates, and women who had drug-fueled sex parties between 2017 and 2020.”
While Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations and pointed to the Justice Department’s decision not to press charges as evidence of his innocence, the CNN panel was divided on the implications. Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky criticized the situation, lamenting the lack of accountability. “Seriously, is this the best we can do?” she asked, emphasizing the seriousness of allegations involving underage girls.
When Republican guest Bruce Levell, a Trump ally and former executive director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump’s 2016 campaign, tried to shift blame to Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice, Phillip swiftly reminded him the investigation began under the Trump administration.
The debate escalated when Levell dismissed Roginsky’s assertion that insufficient evidence does not equal exoneration. “No, to charge, dear,” Levell interjected, prompting an immediate backlash. Roginsky shot back, “Oh, ‘Dear?’ Excuse me? Oh, well thank you for the misogyny.”
Phillip quickly intervened, halting the discussion to address Levell’s comment. “Hold on. I’m just going to stop it right here,” she said firmly. “Because we’re not going to get off on the wrong foot. Please do not address a grown woman as ‘Dear’ in a condescending tone. Do not do that at my table.”
The rebuke highlighted the tensions surrounding Gaetz’s case and broader issues of respect in political discourse. The allegations against Gaetz and the polarized reactions continue to stir controversy, reflecting deeper divides in the political landscape.
