CNN Commentator Scott Jennings Accused of Criticizing Trump Off-Camera
CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, known for his on-air support of Donald Trump, is under fire for allegedly criticizing the president when the cameras are off. The accusations surfaced following a heated exchange on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.
After their appearance, Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, took to X to express his views. “You know who’s a perfect metaphor for the GOP? Scott Jennings,” he stated, suggesting a duality in Jennings' public and private persona.
“A pundit who mocks Trump with us during commercial breaks — but fawns over Trump when the camera is rolling. Brave enough to speak out… in the green room,” Taylor added, highlighting the contrast between Jennings' private remarks and his public defense of the former president.
The two had clashed on air regarding Trump's policies, including his approach to Iran and immigration. Jennings posed a provocative question to Taylor: “Do you think the Ayatollah prefers his life under Obama or under Trump?” Taylor's response referenced Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes early in the conflict.
“You heard it here first,” Jennings quipped sarcastically, which escalated into a shouting match between the two commentators.
Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, a vocal critic of Trump and no longer affiliated with the GOP, weighed in on the controversy during an interview with writer Tommy Christopher. He accused Jennings of dishonesty, stating, “He found out that he can make a s***load of money by being a MAGA tough guy. And that’s what he’s done. He plays a role. He doesn’t believe what he says. He lies.”
Walsh expressed skepticism about ever sharing a panel with Jennings again, saying, “There’s no f***ing way I’ll ever probably be invited to sit on a set with him because he’s a f***ing crybaby.”
Julie Roginsky, co-founder of The Mayday Network and former contributor at Fox News and CNBC, supported Taylor's and Walsh's claims. On X, she stated that “Scott Jennings trashed Trump in the green room repeatedly in front of me,” adding that she suspected Jennings influenced guest selections to avoid those who challenged him.
Wajahat Ali, author of The Left Hook Substack, echoed Roginsky’s sentiments, noting similar experiences with GOP commentators during his time at CNN. “Did the same when I was at CNN. In fact, nearly every GOP hack did so except Paris Dennard and Jeffrey Lord,” he remarked.
The Independent has reached out to Jennings, Taylor, Walsh, Ali, and CNN for their responses to these allegations. Additionally, inquiries were made to The Mayday Network for comments from Roginsky.
