DISCLAIMER: This article was first published on December 13, 2024
A lively CNN roundtable discussion turned awkward on Thursday when Republican strategist Scott Jennings bluntly told Democratic commentator Bakari Sellers to stop touching him during a live broadcast.
The exchange occurred during a segment of NewsNight with Abby Phillip as the two debated inflation. Sellers, a former South Carolina state legislator, leaned toward Jennings and commented: “What Scott was not accurate about—which kind of happens around the table sometimes, although I know you want to be…”
Before Sellers could finish, Jennings interrupted with a stern rebuke: “Don’t touch me!”
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Sellers, seemingly caught off guard, responded with a laugh, asking, “I can’t touch you now?!” while maintaining his hand on Jennings’ back. Host Abby Phillip quickly intervened, diffusing the moment with humor. “All right, everybody, keep your hands to yourselves at the table,” she said, lightening the tension.
.@ScottJenningsKY tells Bakari Sellars ‘don’t touch me,’ while appearing unamused on CNN panel
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 13, 2024
Ongoing Friction Between Jennings and Sellers
This incident wasn’t the first clash between Jennings and Sellers. Their on-air interactions have been heated in the past, often highlighting their stark political differences.
One notable confrontation occurred in October when Jennings compared pro-Palestine protestors to Adolf Hitler during a heated debate. His remarks drew immediate backlash from Sellers, who called the comments “far beyond the pale.”
“The line has been crossed,” Sellers retorted. “You are over there and the line is behind you to compare college students who are protesting for Palestinian rights to Adolf Hitler.” Jennings did not back down, standing by his controversial analogy, which sparked widespread discussion.
May Debate Over Black Voter Outreach
Tensions flared again earlier in May when Jennings and Sellers sparred over voter outreach efforts targeting Black Americans ahead of the 2024 election. Sellers accused Jennings of being condescending during the discussion, saying, “You’re lecturing me on what Black voters need and want.” Jennings pushed back, framing his arguments as informed critique rather than an attack on Black voters.
Their exchanges have become a hallmark of CNN’s panel discussions, often showcasing the deep ideological divide between conservative and progressive viewpoints.
Final Thoughts
The Jennings-Sellers dynamic on NewsNight with Abby Phillip continues to generate buzz, illustrating the challenges of navigating personal boundaries and ideological disagreements in high-stakes televised debates. As political divides remain sharp, moments like these underline the importance of respectful dialogue—even when tensions run high.
