CNN’s host Philip has completely exhausted his patience with the Magie Scott Jennings panel during a busy segment for education secretary Linda McMahon.
The Trump administration ordered Harvard to remove all hiring and acceptance practices that “function as ideological lacquo tests.” During the hearing of the Chamber of Education and Work Committee, reporter Mark Takano asked McMahon if Harvard’s hypothetical refusal to hire a denying Holocaust “would be considered an ideological lacquo test.”
“I believe there should be a variety of perspectives on the teachings and opinions about campuses,” McMahon replied.
Wednesday NewsnightThe panel quickly descended into chaos after watching footage of McMahon’s response. “A variety of perspectives on the denial of the Holocaust?” Philip said in a surprised reaction to McMahon’s response.
“That’s not said,” Jennings replied immediately. “This is not what has just happened there.”
Philip patiently read a copy of McMahon’s question and answer while Jennings was sitting, shaking his head. Jennings insisted that McMahon was not really answering what he thought was a “explicitly ridiculous question of Takano.”
“Why could she not answer this question on earth?” Philip asked, with the fact that and for the ahead, who had already become short.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said he believed there should be a “diversity of views” when asked if he was denied the Holocaust, who was denied working in Harvard, would be considered an ideological lacquer test. / Annabel Gordon/ Reuters
Philip repeatedly presses Jennings and GOP strategist Brad Todd – who took Jennings’ country in the dispute – to answer.
“If someone enters and says,” I do not believe that the Holocaust has really happened, “the federal government will take off the hammer to the universities to say,” This is not the point of view that we allow in our campuses? ” “The answer should be” no “but it sounds like none of you want to answer.”
The tension then quickly boils, with Jennings claiming at one point that the panel accuses McMahon of being a denial of Holocaust and declares, “It’s outrageous!”
“Oh, please, Scott, hold a second,” Philip intervened visibly, and added, “Excuse me, Scott. No one has accused her of being denied Holocaust.”
California Democrat Representative Mark Takano of Grill McMahon before the Chamber of Education and Work Committee. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
“You suppose this is what she wants!” Jennings replied.
“It is completely steadfast for you to sit at this table and say that we have accused her of being a denial of Holocaust,” Philip said. “No one – absolutely no one said this. This is impossible, it’s disrespectful and it’s wrong.”
Todd again gathered at Jennings’ defense, claiming that actually reporter Takano had asked McMahon’s “unwavering” question. Philip replied, stating that Takano also asked if Harvard would be forced to hire a denial election in accordance with the rules of the Trump Administration of Lakmus Test.
After Todd started answering, asking another question, Philip had enough.
“It is very clear that none of you wants to answer a very simple question …” said Philip, citing Jennings and Todd. Jennings interrupted, saying, “So now you blame us?”
“Do you blame us?” Jennings continued, with a mocking smile. “Continue and do it!”
Cald, Philip pressed with his question.
“Is Harvard allowed, is it allowed to say that these are facts and if you do not believe in facts, you cannot teach here”? “She said.” Is they allowed to do it? “
“The question is, what is the Lakmus test today …” Jennings replied, provoking an immediate rebuke from Philip.
“Scott, don’t answer my question with a question,” she said. “When you answer my question with a question, you avoid. So answer the question!”
He insisted that Takano had asked a “unwavering question” designed to provoke a “moment”.
“A lot is said to be unable to or even want to have fun,” Philip replied.
Then Todd saved him, finally giving some resemblance to a real answer. “Harvard has the right to give all kinds of lacus test they want for their faculty, they are a private institution,” he said.
“Well, there is the answer to your question,” said Philip, shooting with an disapproving look at Jennings: “Thank you, Brad. I appreciate this.”