Politics

CNN Panel Discussion Of Reparations Turns Into A Disaster

Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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Angela Rye and Carl Higbie opened their CNN panel discussion on Tuesday discussing white nationalists praising President-elect Donald Trump, but they ended it yelling at each other over the viability of slavery reparations.

“Part of the issue here is that your candidate won’t denounce white supremacy,” Rye, the former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, first posed to Higbie. “Until he goes on a platform and says this is not the path for our future, we will not be able to benefit off of the backs of poor people and continue to push this type of racist propaganda. We need to call it for what it is.” (RELATED: CNN Guest Argues ‘Drain The Swamp’ Is Racist — Probably Forgot Nancy Pelosi Coined Phrase In 2006)

“The very people who you’re talking about who you think are looking for free gifts and handouts are people who have been disenfranchised since they got off the slave ship in this country,” she continued. “Until you recognize that and pay for that, we’re going to continue to have this problem.”

At that point, the wheels totally fell off.

WATCH:

“Oh, so now we’re going to pay for it?” the former Navy SEAL and longtime Trump surrogate shot back at Rye. “You want us to pay for it?”

“Yes, there should be reparations,” she answered, “I’m happy to have that conversation.”

Higbie responded with a laugh before noting “that is the most ridiculous, un-American statement I’ve ever heard.”

The pair continued to argue and launch petty insults at each other until host John Berman attempted to end the segment, but not before Rye got the last word.

“We went down this road talking about blaming Democrats for slavery, which is a favorite Republican talking point, and it is just wrong, Racism is to blame for slavery.”

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