'Not what she said': CNN host fact-checks GOP analyst Scott Jennings over Trump cuts
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CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins defended Democratic strategist Alencia Johnson when GOP analyst Scott Jennings twisted her words on a panel Wednesday.
They were discussing cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency.
“These are, again, people’s livelihoods, and also the health of this country, right?” Johnson asked. “Some of these mistakes that people keep talking about are gutting our agencies that are taking care of, I don’t know, paying attention to the bird flu, Ebola, these things that actually can have detrimental impacts on the American people.”
“We have Ebola in the United States?” Jennings asked.
“Well, we are helping the world be a safer place as well, Scott," Johnson replied. "And we know that."
Cuts at USAID have included work fighting Ebola.
“I mean, on the bird flu, we did — Biden slaughtered all the chickens," Jennings said. "I don’t know if there’s any left to kill."
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“Oh my goodness," Johnson said. "Oh my goodness. Come on."
“It was a bloodbath. You all love that word,” Jennings retorted.
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“You can laugh about this, but these are things that people are actually scared about," Johnson said. "I mean, measles is coming back. There’s so many things that are happening that our federal government makes sure—”
“You’re saying Elon Musk caused the measles?” Jennings asked.
“I am saying what is happening in this government, right now, with Donald Trump appointing—” Johnson began before Jennings cut her off.
“You’re saying Donald Trump caused the measles?” Jennings asked.
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“I am saying that what is happening in this federal government, under Donald Trump, allow Elon Musk, and allow all these people that he appointed, to run this government like this, is actually making us unsafe for the American people,” Johnson said.
Collins moved to cut off the conversation.
“Thank you both, for being here,” she said.
“Elon caused the measles," Jennings said. "You heard it here first."
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“Not what I said!” Johnson said.
“Not what she said,” Collins said.
Measles, a contagious virus, recently killed a young child. The response from vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, to an outbreak in Texas has worried doctors.
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