Abby Phillip’s look of disbelief over Scott Jennings’ defense of President Donald Trump on CNN Tuesday nearly won their debate by itself. (Watch the video below.)
On the “NewsNight” table was Trump’s announced plan to permanently relocate Gaza residents and eventually turn the war-torn area into the “Riviera of the Middle East” under U.S. “ownership.” The idea has been met with worldwide condemnation and would likely re-escalate tensions and jeopardize hope of a two-state solution, U.S. allies said.
But Jennings, a Republican pundit, gave Trump a pass.
“I think Rula [Jebreal] is right in suggesting that that’s basically what Trump is suggesting: Forcibly removing Palestinians from their land is against international law,” said Phillip.
“I think we’re being a little dramatic, and we’re on our jump-to-conclusions mat here a little bit,” Jennings replied. “He muses occasionally.”
Phillip’s face says it all:
“You’re suggesting that we are making this up,” she continued.
“No, I’m not suggesting anything,” Jennings said. “Now, you’re putting words in my mouth. I’m saying you and I both know he muses occasionally, and he’s aspirational, and he says provocative things occasionally.”
Phillip wasn’t buying it.
“Donald Trump, with his own words, said this is what he wants to do,” she pointed out. “He wasn’t musing. He was looking down at a piece of paper. I’ve been in a room with him, just like that, with foreign leaders, looking down at a piece of paper. He is reading a statement that was prepared for him. Those are not musings.”