Tensions Escalate on CNN as Karoline Leavitt’s Remarks About Jake Tapper and Dana Bash Lead to Interview Shutdown

A tense moment unfolded on CNN This Morning on June 24 when Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for Donald Trump’s campaign, made disparaging comments about CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash during an interview. The exchange, which quickly escalated, ended abruptly after CNN host Kasie Hunt stepped in to defend her colleagues.

The Interview and Leavitt’s Controversial Remarks

Hunt, 39, was speaking with Leavitt, 26, about the upcoming presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, set for June 27, 2024. The debate will be moderated by none other than CNN’s Tapper and Bash. When Hunt asked Leavitt about Trump’s preparations for the debate, Leavitt responded by praising Trump’s ability to communicate his vision for America. But the conversation quickly took a turn when she criticized the debate moderators.

Leavitt said: “President Trump knows what he wants to say, and he’s going to relay his vision to the American people to make this country strong, safe, secure, and wealthy again. He’s been doing that across this great nation to all corners of this country.”

She continued, adding: “And that’s why President Trump is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network, on CNN, with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well known over the past eight years and their biased coverage of him.”

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Hunt Defends Her Colleagues

Hunt, who has always maintained a neutral and professional demeanor, immediately defended Tapper and Bash, stating, “They have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle.” Hunt further emphasized, “If you’re attacking the moderators, you’re usually losing,” before shifting the conversation back to the debate itself, expressing a preference for hearing Trump’s specific debate strategy.

However, Leavitt didn’t back down. She tried to press further on her criticism of the moderators, at which point Hunt had seen enough. “Ma’am, we’re going to stop this interview if you’re going to keep attacking my colleagues,” Hunt said, bringing the interview to a sudden halt. The camera swiftly cut away from Leavitt as Hunt concluded the segment with a polite but firm “Thank you for your time”, inviting Leavitt to return if she wished to discuss Trump’s plans for the debate in the future.

CNN’s Response to the Incident

Following the heated exchange, a CNN spokesperson addressed the incident in a statement to PEOPLE. The spokesperson reaffirmed the professionalism and experience of both Tapper and Bash, saying, “Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are well-respected veteran journalists who have covered politics for more than five decades combined.” The statement continued: “They have extensive experience moderating major political debates, including CNN’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate this cycle. There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion, and we look forward to the debate on June 27 in Atlanta.”

The Upcoming Debate and What’s Next

The first general election debate of 2024 is set to take place on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 9 p.m. in Atlanta, with Tapper and Bash moderating. The second debate will be held on September 10, 2024, and will be moderated by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis.

As the countdown to the debates continues, the tension between Leavitt and CNN adds fuel to the already heated atmosphere surrounding the 2024 presidential race. Will this confrontation have lasting implications for Trump’s media strategy? Only time will tell, but for now, the focus remains on the upcoming debates and the issues that will dominate the political conversation in the months to come.