CNN host Casey Hunt abruptly ended an interview with a Trump campaign spokesperson on Monday, apparently upset, after colleagues Dana Bash and Jake Tapper criticized her for being biased against her boss.
“That is why President Trump is putting himself in a hostile environment at this network, at CNN, knowingly facing debate moderators who have voiced their views against him for the past eight years and knowingly providing biased coverage of him,” campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said in a preview of Thursday's scheduled debate between Trump and Biden.
Bash and Tapper will co-chair the highly anticipated debate, but Hunt was not happy about them being criticised.
“I will simply say that my colleagues Jake Tapper and Dana Bash have done a very professional job covering the campaign and interviewing candidates from all walks of life. I will also tell you that if you talk to analysts of past debates, you will usually lose if you are attacking the moderator,” Hunt responded.
CNN debate moderator Jake Tapper's sharpest anti-Trump commentary in years
CNN host Casey Hunt abruptly ended an interview with Trump campaign spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt, who had criticized the debate moderators. (Screenshot/CNN)
When Hunt tried to steer the discussion back to debate, Leavitt told Hunt that he would only need five minutes to look into Tapper and his comments about the former president.
“Ma'am, if you continue to attack my colleague I will end this interview,” Hunt said.
After Levitt insisted he was simply stating facts about Bash and Tapper, Hunt ended the interview and returned to the jury in a fury.
“I want to talk to you about Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who you work for,” Hunt said. As Levitt continued speaking, Hunt motioned for her to interrupt.
“Sorry, everybody. We'll be back to the panel,” Hunt said. “Caroline, thank you for your time. Please come back anytime. She's welcome to come back and talk about Donald Trump. And Donald Trump and Joe Biden will be joining forces in the debate later this week in Atlanta, where they will be given equal time.”
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On the left is President Biden, and on the right is former President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Speaking to the CNN debate panel after the clash, Hunt said he expected to continue to face attacks from Trump supporters “about the way this debate is being conducted.”
“As you know, our colleagues Jake and Dana have been involved in our discussions all along and have interviewed candidates on both sides,” Hunt said.
CNN's John King agreed that it's part of the Trump campaign's strategy.
Hunt later posted about the exchange on X, and during an appearance on his show said: “You respect my colleague.”
Both Biden and Trump agreed to debate rules, including muting microphones when not speaking, no spectators, no advance notes and no consultations with campaign staff during breaks.
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CNN's Van Jones warned Thursday that any gaffe in the debate could mean “game over” for Biden.
“If Biden goes on the campaign trail and fails, the game is over. If he goes on the campaign trail and his approval ratings go down a week later, there's panic in the party,” he said. “But if he goes on the campaign trail and can take on Donald Trump, who is a runaway train, a locomotive, a raging bull, then this man deserves another chance to be president, because it's going to be an uphill battle.”
Hannah Panrec is a deputy editor at Fox News.