A CNN panel reportedly descended into a heated shouting match Monday night as guests debated whether Republicans were applying a double standard to MAGA activist Laura Loomer while demanding Democrats distance themselves from left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
The clash began on “CNN NewsNight” after host Abby Phillip highlighted Loomer’s comments about Florida Democratic state nominee Angie Nixon and other Black female lawmakers, including calling them “ghetto black b*tches.”
Phillip contrasted Republican criticism of Democrats associated with Piker with President Donald Trump’s relationship with Loomer, asking whether Trump should disown her.
Democratic activist and former Texas congressional candidate Isaiah Martin said Trump should “absolutely” cut ties with Loomer.
“Republicans spent weeks talking about Hasan Piker while you have a de facto attack dog for the Republican Party, attacking everybody that she can,” Martin said.
Former Trump senior policy strategist May Mailman asked whether Democrats should also distance themselves from Piker.
Martin replied that Democrats should do so when Trump condemns Loomer.
“So the answer is no,” Mailman responded before Martin asked whether she condemned Loomer, triggering overlapping arguments.
Phillip then questioned Mailman about Trump’s “open embrace” of Loomer, whom the host described as a “9/11 conspiracy theorist.”
Mailman argued Loomer was an online personality and was not currently campaigning with candidates like Piker. Phillip countered that Loomer had campaigned with Trump.
CNN then aired clips of Trump calling Loomer a “little nasty” but a “very good patriot.” Trump also said he listened to her recommendations about personnel and policy.
Martin asked Mailman to call on Trump to condemn Loomer.
“Yes. Go condemn Laura Loomer,” Mailman replied, but she characterized the controversy as a distraction.
Mailman later claimed it was “manufacturing racism because Florida is about to have a black governor, Byron [Donalds].”
“What the heck does that have to do with anything?” Martin responded.
Progressive commentator Leigh McGowan accused Mailman of dismissing racism.
“She called her a ‘ghetto black b*tch.’ That is racist,” McGowan said.
McGowan argued that conservative figures, including Rush Limbaugh and Nick Fuentes, had maintained relationships with Republican politicians without every GOP candidate being forced to answer for them.
National Review writer Noah Rothman pushed back, saying Republicans faced questions about Limbaugh and Trump received “significant backlash” after dining with Fuentes in 2022.
Asked why Loomer was “still shot-calling” in the White House, Rothman said she should not be.
“Those are vile comments,” Rothman said. “She deserves to be cast out.”
Martin pounded the desk while declaring he did not want to hear criticism of Piker until Trump condemned Loomer.
“Literally table-pounding demagoguery,” Rothman responded.
The Hill columnist Niall Stanage broadened the discussion, pointing to controversial comments by Trump, Rep. Randy Fine and Georgia’s Republican Senate nominee. Stanage called Loomer’s remarks “flagrantly racist.”
Mailman clarified that she agreed Loomer’s remarks were racist but objected to portraying them as endemic to the Republican Party.
The panel erupted once more after Martin noted Trump’s support for Fine.
“He was endorsed by the president!” Martin repeatedly exclaimed.
