CNN host Abby Phillip broke out the scolding on Wednesday night’s NewsNight when Bruce LeVell – the former executive director of Trump’s 2016 National Diversity Coalition used the apparently offensive word “dear” to Democrat strategist Julie Roginsky, in a “condescending tone.”
However, it was all right to accuse Matt Gaetz of “statutory rape.” Phillip didn’t mind that one bit.
As they discussed all the allegations of sexual impropriety against Gaetz, Roginsky said: “They have a responsibility to do the right thing here, which is to say to the president, Mr. President, you get to choose your cabinet, but we have advice and consent powers, and we do not consent to Matt Gaetz. Find somebody else of similar ideology who doesn't have problems with potentially sleeping with underage girls, doing drugs and going to sex parties.”
Levell protested that after Gaetz was investigated, “The bottom line is the DOJ said there’s nothing there.” Roginsky protested that no, “they said they didn’t have enough to indict. That shouldn’t be the standard.” Put aside that this is typically the standard for Democrats like Bill Clinton.
Then Levell said: “No, it’s a charge, dear.” Roginsky took offense: “Dear? Excuse me. Thank you for the misogyny.” Then Phillip played the disciplinarian:
Abby Phillip update: Bruce LeVell said the word "dear" to Julie Roginsky. She said "thanks for the misogyny," then Phillip scolded: "Please do not address a grown woman as 'dear' in a condescending tone. Do not do that at my table!" But you can accuse Gaetz of statutory rape... pic.twitter.com/BHJNQb4GzI
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) November 21, 2024
PHILLIP: Hold on. Hold on. I'm just going to stop it right here because we're not going to get off on a wrong foot. Please do not address a grown woman as dear in a condescending tone. Do not do that at my table.
You can continue.
FMR. REP. DENVER RIGGLEMAN (R-VA): I was going to say for me, you know, Abby, my background is intelligence, and a lot of times when we track bad actors is through financial networks. So, once you have a follow the money diagram there, you're screwed. It ain't going to happen. And I want to tell you this also. It's not just the fact that he used public Venmo to actually, I guess, engage in statutory rape, right?
Being accused of "statutory rape" (sex with a minor) seems like a tougher term than "dear." Levell didn't call Roginsky an "ignorant slut," but the reaction seemed about the same. Phillip doesn't object to mocking conservatives with rougher terms. She sat blankly as disgraced ex-PBS host Tavis Smiley said J.D. Vance has "mommy issues."
Phillip also played the schoolmarm two weeks ago when CNN analyst Shermichael Singleton offended the LGBTQ cops by saying the supposedly horrific term "boys in girls sports." CNN contributor Ryan Girdusky was removed from CNN a month ago for joking on this show that Mehdi Hasan might have an exploding beeper like a member of Hamas.
