‘I Don’t Feel I Have To Respond’: Scott Jennings Reacts To 60-Second Rant By Fellow CNN Panelist With Pointed Silence
Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings sat silently Friday while former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross unleashed a racist rant against people hired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and supporters of President Donald Trump.
Violent opposition to immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis area intensified after an ICE agent fatally shot an illegal immigrant from Venezuela after he was ambushed during a “targeted” enforcement operation Wednesday. The incident occurred a week after another ICE agent killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. During a discussion of an order from a federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden limiting ICE’s tactics in dealing with rioters, Cross claimed that Trump supporters lacked a “moral compass.” (RELATED: ‘This Is What You Wanted’: Video Shows Pro-ICE, Anti-ICE Protesters Clashing As Riots Continue in Blue State)
“You keep smiling, Scott, but, I mean, you say horrible things on this show on a regular basis. You make jokes about people in prison in El Salvador,” Cross said. “I mean, these things are… they speak to the heart of Americans and what we see people going through. It’s not a political point of view to me. You know, we try to see the humanity in people and it doesn’t seem like people on the right side are capable of that.”
Jennings crossed his arms and remained silent while Cross criticized both Americans who voted for Trump in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections and ICE agents.
“I’m really concerned about who exactly works for ICE. Since there isn’t one, to my knowledge, there hasn’t been a thorough investigation into these hiring practices. I’m curious how many Proud Boys are on ICE’s payroll?” Cross said. “There was a Slate reporter who tried to get hired at ICE after a six-minute interview. She was offered a job without any background checks, without even a domestic violence background check. They’re casting a wide net of deplorable people who have certain ideological beliefs, people who have Nazi tattoos on their necks and defending them in American cities. And it’s costing municipalities millions of dollars local.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin flatly denied Cross’ claims when contacted for comment by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“This is crazy and completely irresponsible lies at a serious time for our country,” McLaughlin told DCNF.
“CNN NewsNight” host Abby Phillip then turned to Jennings, asking if he had anything to say.
“Reply to what?” » » asked Jennings. Then, after Phillip explained, he added, “Oh, you’re worried about tattoos, like the guy who’s going to win the Maine senator primary with the Nazi tattoo?”
“Here we go. Let’s deflect. Like…” Cross said, before Jennings cut her off, saying, “No, I’m asking. If you’re worried about tattoos, I’ll just ask…”
Cross then insisted that Jennings talk about “what’s happening in America.”
“Yeah, look, I’m not going to — I’m not going to respond to the ad hominem attacks against 70 million Americans who have decided to vote Republican in the November 2024 election,” Jennings responded. “I don’t think it’s fair to come here – you call people liars. You call everyone who votes Republican, you say they have no moral compass. I think I’m fair – I don’t feel – “
“I didn’t say, ‘Anyone vote Republican.’ I said, ‘the people who voted for Donald Trump,'” Cross said. “Okay, he’s a Republican and he won in November with Republicans voting for him,” Jennings responded. “So don’t shy away from your feelings. It’s how you feel.” (RELATED: CNN panel turns into shouting match after far-left commentator compares ICE to Nazis)
After more back-and-forth, during which Cross doubled down on his attacks on Trump voters, Jennings responded.
“I don’t feel obligated to respond to these attacks. In fact, I think you should ask her if she really believes that 70 million people lack a moral compass,” Jennings said.
Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller and the Daily Caller News Foundation, compared the MSNBC broadcasts of Cross and fellow MSNBC host Joy Reid to “Hutu radio” during an October 2022 episode of his Fox News show, referring to media outlets allegedly inciting the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
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