CNN host Abby Phillip and several panelists engaged in a heated exchange with conservative commentator Scott Jennings on Wednesday's "NewsNight" after Jennings defended White House aide Natalie Harp.
The controversy began when Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, in a criticism of former President Donald Trump, suggested Trump was "less interested" in his job and preferred to "travel with" Harp, his 35-year-old executive assistant, to "their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar."
Jennings argued that Ossoff had unfairly thrust Harp, described as an "effective unknown," into the public spotlight. "She's not a household name, nobody knows who she is, and when he injected her into this, he knew what he was doing, which is punching down on someone who's effectively defenseless," Jennings stated. He later characterized Harp as a "female who can't defend herself" and a "single defenseless woman."
Panelists including Democratic congressman Jared Moskowitz and former Bill Clinton aide Keith Boykin challenged Jennings' defense. Moskowitz countered that Trump "broke all the rules" and cited Trump's comments after the death of critic Rob Reiner. "What I find amazing is that the best trolls can't take incoming. I don't care who they are," Moskowitz said, prompting Jennings to ask, "Is she a troll?" referring to Harp.
When Jennings insisted Harp was a "defenseless woman," Boykin interjected, "She's a White House staff member."
Phillip intervened as the crosstalk escalated, playing clips that she argued contradicted Jennings' position and demonstrated "Trump punching down on women." The clips included Trump's past remarks about Rosie O'Donnell, Hillary Clinton, interviewer Kaitlan Collins, and Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey. Phillip pressed Jennings, asking if he would be equally outraged by Trump's demeaning comments towards other women.
Jennings stated, "I do not believe in demeaning women in any way. Number one," but then refused to directly answer Phillip's question about Trump's past remarks, instead becoming louder in his exchanges with other panelists.
Harp, who has served as Trump's personal assistant since 2022, had previously been the subject of reports detailing her close proximity to the former president. A Washington Post report highlighted her presence on a secret flight with Trump out of Turkey amid an Iranian assassination threat. The New York Times also profiled her recently, noting her consistent devotion to Trump despite efforts by his inner circle to distance her from him. CNN also reported that Harp reportedly climbed into an SUV trunk to accompany Trump to a federal courthouse in 2023.