Scott Jennings ‘was NOT PLAYING with CNN’s Abby Phillip’ [WATCH]

CNN commentator Scott Jennings confronted network colleagues in a tense on-air exchange Monday night after a discussion surrounding a congressional hearing and a controversial line of questioning posed to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

The exchange centered on remarks made by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) during a recent hearing in which he posed a hypothetical question to Secretary McMahon: whether Harvard University would be within its rights to deny employment to a Holocaust denier without it being considered an “ideological litmus test.”

“I believe there should be diversity of viewpoints relative to teachings and opinions on campuses,” McMahon responded.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

The question and its framing drew criticism from commentators and observers, with Jennings taking issue with both the premise and CNN’s treatment of McMahon’s response.

Takano’s question was revisited during a CNN segment led by anchor Abby Phillip, who shared a clip of the exchange and asked panelists for their reaction.

Jennings responded forcefully, stating the entire framing of the discussion was a “patently ridiculous question” and suggesting that liberal commentators were insinuating that McMahon was somehow sympathetic to Holocaust denial.

“This is outrageous,” Jennings said. “You’re implying that that is what she was!”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Phillip responded directly, telling Jennings, “Excuse me Scott. Nobody accused her of being a Holocaust denier.”

Jennings pushed back, saying the framing and panel discussion clearly suggested such an implication.

“You’re implying that that is what she was,” he reiterated.

.@ScottJenningsKY was NOT PLAYING with Abby Phillip tonight when she tried to create a gotcha moment with Linda McMahon.

You gotta watch this. pic.twitter.com/pW1fevrRut

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) June 5, 2025

Takano, who gained national attention for walking out of a sit-down interview with commentator Matt Walsh — an exchange later featured in Walsh’s documentary What Is a Woman? — has frequently clashed with conservatives on questions of free speech and academic standards.

His question to McMahon was viewed by some as a politically motivated trap, particularly given the increasing debate surrounding ideological diversity on college campuses.

McMahon, who was appointed as Education Secretary earlier this year, has emphasized support for the protection of open discourse and the broad inclusion of viewpoints in higher education, including those that may be unpopular or controversial.

Following the hearing, McMahon’s comments received mixed reactions, with critics accusing her of not providing a direct condemnation of Holocaust denial, and supporters arguing that she was affirming the broader principle of free expression in academia.

Jennings, a former adviser to President George W. Bush and a frequent conservative voice on CNN panels, defended McMahon’s stance and criticized the use of extreme hypotheticals in questioning officials on complex cultural issues.

The debate comes amid broader national discussions around the limits of free speech on university campuses, the role of federal education policy in guiding institutional hiring practices, and ideological conformity in academic settings.

As the debate over academic freedom continues, the exchange between Jennings and CNN’s panel has added fuel to ongoing tensions surrounding how these issues are handled in media and government forums.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs