During a recent panel discussion, CNN’s Brian Stelter found himself in hot water, facing sharp criticism from Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton after making what many saw as a dismissive comment about the economy. The conversation kicked off with Singleton pointing to a troubling trend: Americans have reported feeling increasingly pessimistic about their financial situations for years now. The latest October Harvard/CAPS Harris survey shows that 47% of respondents feel their finances are “getting worse,” reflecting a persistent sentiment since at least September 2021.
Singleton connected this frustration to U.S. spending priorities, noting that billions of dollars in aid have been sent to Ukraine while domestic issues, like crumbling infrastructure and underfunded schools, continue to plague Americans. “My point is that people see how much money we’ve spent on this conflict,” Singleton argued, “and they’re asking, ‘Why are my roads still falling apart? Why do our schools still struggle? FEMA doesn’t even have enough funding after recent disasters.’”
But just as Singleton was making his case, Stelter cut in, dismissing the concern with a quip: “I don’t live in that country, by the way. America’s not that horrible.”
Singleton wasted no time pushing back, pointing out that New York City—where Stelter resides—doesn’t reflect the experiences of most Americans. “I don’t live in New York. I live in a normal city, a normal town,” Singleton said, countering Stelter’s upbeat take. “There are a lot of people out there whose roads *are* crumbling, whose schools *do* suck. That’s their reality.”
Stelter attempted to defend his comment, labeling complaints about economic struggles as “anti-American rhetoric.” But Singleton wasn’t having it. “You might have the privilege of sending your kids to good schools,” Singleton shot back. “But not everyone has that luxury. A lot of families are stuck in broken school systems because of their zip codes. That’s the reality for them.”
The exchange highlighted a growing divide in public discourse—where different socioeconomic realities collide head-on. For many Americans, economic anxiety isn’t just a media narrative; it’s a daily struggle. Singleton’s sharp rebuke served as a reminder that dismissing those concerns as “anti-American” only deepens the disconnect between media elites and everyday people.
