CNN’s post-election panel sat in stunned silence as Republican pundit Scott Jennings delivered what some are calling the most unvarnished truth heard on the network in years.
As Americans woke up to the news of Donald Trump’s decisive return to the White House, Jennings’s two-minute commentary on why regular, working-class Americans backed Trump struck a nerve—not just with viewers but with the visibly uncomfortable panelists, including anchor Anderson Cooper.
Jennings, a Kentucky-born commentator, summarized Trump’s win as the “revenge of the regular old working-class American”—the millions who, in his words, have felt dismissed, demonized, and belittled by a political and cultural elite that too often paints them as “garbage” or worse. “They’re not garbage, they’re not Nazis,” Jennings said. “They’re just regular people who get up, go to work, and try to make a better life for their kids.” He argued that these Americans feel deeply ignored by those in power when they voice concerns about issues that directly impact their lives.
AMAZING
MSNBC cuts off Kornacki Cam and ENDS THE 11-HOUR STREAM just as the guy is saying Trump has won.
They cut him off as he was saying “President-Elect” pic.twitter.com/jlhawnosUW
— Perdie (@PerdieXAmerica) November 6, 2024
Jennings’s take wasn’t just a defense of Trump voters; it was an indictment of the media and political punditry that he says have consistently missed the mark. He called out the election coverage’s overreliance on “gimmicks” and identity politics, saying that, instead, voters were laser-focused on the fundamentals: economic hardship, rising inflation, out-of-control crime, and concerns over immigration.
“For all of us who cover elections, we have to figure out how to understand, talk to, and listen to the half of the country that rose up tonight and said, ‘We’ve had enough,’” Jennings concluded.
The response from viewers was swift. Many took to social media to praise Jennings for speaking what they felt was “the absolute unadulterated truth,” saying it was refreshing to hear their concerns voiced without interruption or dismissal. As one viewer wrote, “Quit straw-manning and gaslighting us! We ARE hard-working, family-first, God-followers, peace-lovers who want the best for our families, our neighbors, and our country.”
For many Americans, Jennings’s speech mirrored their own frustrations with a political class they feel has become increasingly disconnected. Trump’s victory, cemented by sweeping wins in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, marks an extraordinary comeback for the former president, who is now the first in over 130 years to win a non-consecutive second term.
Trump’s return to office comes on the heels of an intense campaign season, including two attempts on his life and a historic withdrawal by President Biden in July amid concerns over age and health.
