CNN host Abby Phillip on Sunday confronted the network's Republican pundit Scott Jennings as he attempted to defend Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's launch of a new reality series on YouTube.
Duffy, a former MTV reality star, recently released a trailer for a five-part, road trip-style series with his family that is sponsored by companies overseen and regulated by his department. He has faced criticism over the promo for the trip, which he said was filmed over the course of seven months, given that his tenure as secretary has been marked by soaring gas prices and several high-profile aviation accidents.
Jennings justified the series by arguing it would promote American tourism and highlight great parts of the country. Phillip then played a clip of Jennings joining a chorus of right-wing critics who slammed Duffy's predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, for taking paternity leave in 2021.
In the clip, Jennings said, Frankly, you ought to know that being transportation secretary goes with some personal sacrifice.
As Jennings scrambled to defend his previous comments, Phillip interjected, Somebody was hit by an airplane on a tarmac in America, referring to a person struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane at Denver International Airport on Friday.
Jennings replied, By the way, they filmed this months ago — he didn't film it yesterday and put it out today.
Phillip responded, It's OK to acknowledge when you were wrong and when it was not OK.
Jennings asked, What do you mean? What was I wrong about?
The exchange continued as Phillip pressed Jennings on the inconsistency of his criticisms. The full segment aired on CNN NewsNight.
