CNN's Kasie Hunt cuts off interview with Trump spokesperson over attacks on moderator
CNN anchor Kasie Hunt stopped an interview on Monday with a top spokesperson for former President Trump's campaign after she repeatedly attacked two CNN anchors slated to host this week's presidential debate.
Hunt asked Trump National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt what Trump "is gonna to do differently on the debate stage this time," drawing reference to his 2020 clashes with President Biden.
"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," Leavitt said.
"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."
Hunt pushed back on Leavitt's comments about CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who will host the Thursday debate hosted by the network in Atlanta.
"So I’ll just say, my colleagues, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle," Hunt said. "I’ll also say that if you talk to analysts of debates, previous, that if you’re attacking the moderators, you’re usually losing."
Hunt then asked Leavitt what Trump's team expects from Biden on the debate stage, but the former president's spokesperson again attacked Tapper.
"Well, first of all, it takes about five minutes to Google Jake Tapper, Donald Trump to see that Jake Tapper has ..." Leavitt said before Hunt cut her off again, warning her "ma’am, we’re going to stop this interview if you’re going to keep attacking my colleagues."
As Leavitt continued, Hunt instructed the CNN control room to cut the video feed of Leavitt and pivoting back to a panel discussion on the upcoming debate.
"Karoline, thanks very much for your time. You are welcome to come back at any point," Hunt said. "She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump. And Donald Trump will have equal time to Joe Biden when they both join us now at next ... early later this week in Atlanta for this debate. Our thanks to Karoline."
Monday's back-and-forth was first highlighted by Mediate.