A CNN roundtable discussion got a little tense Thursday when one panelist told another panelist not to touch him on air.
Republican strategist Scott Jennings and former Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives Bakari Sellers had an awkward exchange while discussing inflation.
talking about abby philip newsnight”, Sellers reached out to Jennings and said, “What Scott was inaccurate about is that sometimes that happens at the dinner table, even though I know you want to…”
Jennings jumped in and told Sellers flatly: “Don’t touch me!”
The seller smiled awkwardly and asked, “I can’t touch you now?!” while continuing to put his hand on Jennings’ back. That’s when host Abby Phillip decided to intervene.
“Okay, everyone, keep your hands to yourself at the dinner table,” she said.
The sensitive moment was the latest flashpoint between the pair. They clashed in October over comments Jennings, a former George W. Bush administration official, made about pro-Palestinian protesters, comparing them to Adolf Hitler.
The seller was shocked by the comments, saying they were “well beyond our scope.”
“The line has been crossed,” Sellers said. “You’re over there, the line is behind you, comparing college students protesting Palestinian rights to Adolf Hitler.”
Sellers also chided Jennings on the show in May, accusing Jennings of telling him “what Black voters need and want” while discussing President Joe Biden’s voter outreach plans ahead of the 2024 election.
