CNN host, Burchett spar over Trump description of left as 'scum'
CNN anchor Kate Bolduan and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) got into a heated debate on the network on Monday over President Trump blaming the left for an increased level of political violence and tension in America.
Bolduan played for Burchett a clip of Trump speaking to reporters over the weekend and calling "agitators" on the left "scum" and referencing flag burning, social media posts and other statements he characterized as anti-American.
"What do you do with this if the president does not want to take the lead in trying to help?" she asked Burchett.
“Ma’am it’s all over. It’s not just the president. The guy was shot at. He was shot at once and he was almost assassinated twice. Look back at my friend Steve Scalise when he was shot, and the guy had what was called, he had a Republican hunting list, and it took us five years, ma’am. Five years to get that changed by the FBI,” Burchett responded, before Bolduan interrupted.
"No congressman," she said. "I'm aware of that ... but again it goes across the political spectrum ... if [Trump] is not going to, what are you going to do about it?"
Burchett shot back, blaming the media and accusing CNN specifically of "stirring the base" on hot-button political issues.
"I take pride in the fact [we] do turn down the temperature on this program," the anchor said, defending herself and her network, saying she had brought Burchett on to "have conversation."
"If you all truly had some objective reporting instead of attacking conservatives and Republicans, there would be a change I think," Burchett said, knocking CNN over its ratings. "You're seeing as much or more on the left than you are from the right."
The back-and-forth came just days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, an event that has reignited the national conversation around partisan politics, guns, mental health and the future of the country.
The exchange was first highlighted by Mediaite.