In a surprising critique of his own network, CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings took aim at how CNN handled remarks by former President Donald Trump. Jennings argued that Trump’s rhetoric is consistently distorted, particularly when it comes to Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign’s talking points, as reported by Fox News.

This controversy kicked off after Trump was rushed off the golf course at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Florida, following a Secret Service alert regarding a gunman in the vicinity. Authorities have treated this as a second potential assassination attempt against the former president. In the aftermath, Trump pointed fingers at President Biden and Vice President Harris, claiming their rhetoric was encouraging violence against him.

The day after this alarming incident, CNN’s Abby Phillip hosted a panel discussing the links between heated political discourse and threats against Trump’s life. Jennings seized the moment to address how the left, particularly Democratic politicians and commentators, have built a platform on what he calls “lies” designed to radicalize their base.

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“I have to say, when I see what Democratic politicians say about Donald Trump, when I see what Democratic commentators say about Donald Trump, and their platform is built on a bunch of lies, frankly, that are designed to radicalize a political base, it makes me wonder… How much do they really care about the violence that you and I both agree is terrible?” Jennings asked the panel. His sharp critique of the Harris campaign’s fearmongering tactics stood out, especially as he highlighted their claims that Trump would act as a “dictator on day one” of his presidency if re-elected.

Trump himself joked during a December town hall with Sean Hannity, saying, he would not be a dictator “except for day one.”

“Other than day one – we’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.” But the Harris campaign has twisted these remarks into a central talking point, Jennings noted. He also pointed out how Harris had taken Trump’s mention of a “bloodbath” in relation to the automotive industry and misrepresented it as a comment about the upcoming election.

Jennings was clear in his criticism: “The underpinning of her campaign, I mean, she repeats it herself, ‘Trump will be a dictator on day one.’ This country fights dictators. That’s what our history is—fighting dictators,” he said, as the panel attempted to push back.

Jennings highlighted how Harris claimed during last week’s debate that Trump predicted a “bloodbath” if the election didn’t go his way. However, as Jennings clarified, Trump’s use of “bloodbath” referred to potential economic fallout for the automotive industry under Biden’s leadership—not the election. CNN’s Abby Phillip backed up Jennings’ point, acknowledging that Harris had taken Trump’s words out of context.

Why aren’t we asking Biden & Harris to stop invoking “bloodbath” and other falsehoods against Trump? Isn’t that the inciting rhetoric that should be stopped in the wake of a 2nd attempt on Trump’s life? Back and forth on @cnn today… pic.twitter.com/DOA3VMM0ak

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) September 17, 2024

This latest critique by Jennings sheds light on the media’s role in shaping political narratives, with his sharp rebuke aimed squarely at CNN and how they allow the Democratic campaign to mischaracterize Trump’s words.