‘Am I second class?’ Tempers flare on CNN over ‘hypocrisy inside the GOP’
A heated political debate on CNN devolved into shouting and accusations of hypocrisy on Wednesday night.
The debate began during a discussion over Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever, who was fired by the company’s parent corporation due to his commitment to the brand’s progressive social mission and political activism.
“I think it’s remarkably unfair,” Angela Rye, co-host of the “Native Land Pod.” “Shout out to Ben & Jerry’s because they’ve taken some really incredible stances. We’re talking about people who should be locked up and go to jail. It’s the same party that’s rooting for and seeking a pardon for Derek Chauvin.”
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Fellow panelist Shermichael Singelton, a Republican strategist, shook his head as Rye said, “It is so rich to me to see folks don’t understand when folks use their platforms of privilege to ensure that the least of these among us have a voice in the process. I don’t condone violence, but I wish that people would take a look in the mirror and see what is actually happening.”
Rye blasted Tesla, which she said is “not an ‘America First‘ company,” repeating a campaign slogan for President Donald Trump. “It’s a South African first company,” she said, making a dig at tech billionaire Elon Musk before attacking Republicans for being the “same party that talks about America First and Making America Great Again.”
“They’re giving someone unfettered access who is an immigrant. And if you leave it to this party to talk about, there’s no space for immigrants — ” she began.
But Rye’s comments led to fierce pushback from conservatives on the panel, including Singleton and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary.
“We’re all immigrants,” O’Leary shouted back, as Singleton held up a finger and tried unsuccessfully to interject.
But Rye was undeterred.
“No, no, no, no! Some of us are here by force!” she shot back.
“Some of us are lesser immigrants?” questioned O’Leary. “Is that what you just said?”
“No, no — you’re right! That’s exactly what y’all think,” Rye fired back.
“He’s a lesser immigrant?” an indignant O’Leary asked.
“No, no, no. What I’m saying is —” she began, but O’Leary continued pushing back: “He’s tainted because he’s from South Africa, and he’s really brilliant?”
“You know what is so funny about that? Y’all are also the party of the birthirism movement,” she said, to which O’Leary shot back, “Wow! He’s a tainted immigrant!”
“Where’s the class on this? Where do I fit? I’m Irish-Lebanese. Am I like second class?” O’Leary returned.
“You tell me. Ask your party,” Rye retorted.
Later in the clip, Rye said the “point is the hypocrisy inside the GOP.”
“I’m not rooting for the demise of the company. I’m asking for there to be fairness across the aisle about how we see immigration,” she said. “That we don’t prefer South African refugees as they’re now being called when their land was ‘stolen’ as some of your party are saying right now.”
Watch the clip below or at this link.