CNN political commentator Scott Jennings erupted in a profanity-laced outburst at fellow panelist Adam Mockler during a live Thursday night segment over President Trump’s war with Iran, demanding he “get your f—-ing hand out of my face” before host Abby Phillip moved to restore order.
The confrontation unfolded on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip” during a debate over public support for the ongoing conflict. Tensions began early when Mr. Jennings took a condescending tone toward Mr. Mockler, telling the 23-year-old he was getting “hyper” past his “bedtime.”
Mr. Mockler, a MeidasTouch commentator, repeatedly pressed Mr. Jennings to name a single political concession the U.S. had extracted from Iran since Mr. Trump ordered airstrikes on the country Feb. 28. He also invoked Mr. Jennings’ history as a staffer in the George W. Bush administration during the Iraq War, saying Mr. Jennings was “more than happy to defend a war with a country that starts with letters ’I-r-a.’”
As Mr. Mockler gestured while pressing his question, Mr. Jennings snapped. Mr. Mockler later disputed that his hand was anywhere near Mr. Jennings’ face, posting video of the exchange on X and writing that Mr. Jennings “throws a personal jab … then folds the second he gets pressed.”
Ms. Phillip intervened to calm both panelists. Mr. Jennings responded to the concessions question by saying the U.S. goal was preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The blowup quickly spread on social media. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office posted an edited image of the exchange on X with Mr. Jennings’ head replaced by an oversized snowflake, mocking his outburst in alternating case: “gEt YoUr hANd oUt oF mY FaCE.”
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