CNN anchor Abby Phillip has addressed the strong negative reactions from viewers towards panelist Scott Jennings, while advocating for his continued role on her primetime show “NewsNight.” This acknowledgment occurred during Phillip’s Tuesday, August 19, 2025, appearance on journalist Kara Swisher’s “Pivot” podcast, where she discussed the controversy surrounding the conservative commentator.
Phillip noted her awareness of the dislike for Jennings’ views but emphasized that his perspectives reflect opinions shared by a significant portion of the audience, even if they are widely regarded as unfounded. The CNN host categorized Jennings as a commentator whose views may be unpopular or deemed unfounded, yet remain influential in public dialogue.
The conversation highlighted the ongoing tensions between Phillip and Jennings during broadcasts. Phillip mentioned the need to intervene when Jennings appears to play to social media audiences rather than engaging in substantial debate. She explained that she steps in when someone seems to be aiming for a viral moment or misrepresenting a discussion.
Phillip asserted that she applies the same standards to liberal guests, noting that when they cross a line, they receive the same treatment as conservative guests. She expressed concern over personal attacks during panel discussions, stating they occur more often than she would like.
The comments followed a significant confrontation between Jennings and Democratic operative Julie Roginsky on “NewsNight.” During the exchange, Jennings accused Roginsky of seeking relevance after she implied he was pursuing Senator Mitch McConnell’s seat in Kentucky. When Phillip attempted to allow Roginsky to speak, Jennings intensified his criticism, questioning her motives for relevance.
Jennings, a former adviser to President George W. Bush who often defends Donald Trump and MAGA-aligned positions on CNN, has become one of the network’s prominent conservative voices. He even appeared on stage with Trump at a campaign rally and frequently defends the president’s policies on the network.
The revamped “NewsNight” format has attracted considerable attention since its relaunch in late July. The show transitioned from a traditional news format with Phillip alone on set to a more confrontational panel discussion format. According to industry reports, this change has resulted in an 82 percent increase in viewership among viewers aged 25 to 54 compared to its performance in June.
Recent incidents have underscored the show’s volatile environment. In December, tensions rose when former South Carolina state Representative Bakari Sellers patted Jennings on the back during a discussion about Trump’s promises to lower grocery prices. Jennings responded by instructing Sellers not to touch him, prompting Phillip to direct Sellers to keep his hands to himself. This took place during an intense debate over Trump’s admission that reducing grocery prices would be “very hard.”
Another contentious moment occurred in July when leftist podcast host Touré suggested that Trump “supposedly” got shot in the ear during the Butler, Pennsylvania rally. Jennings strongly reacted to the claim, demanding Phillip clarify the situation. The exchange escalated into shouting until Phillip intervened, confirming that Trump was indeed shot in the ear during the assassination attempt.
The show’s confrontational nature has drawn comparisons to earlier CNN programs, such as “Crossfire,” combined with elements of Fox News Channel’s “The Five.” Industry observers note that the program operates at a volume level uncommon for the network under Warner Bros. Discovery ownership, which generally favors more moderate tones.
Despite the controversies, Phillip has defended the show’s approach as representative of how people discuss politics at home. She noted that when guests become loud, it mirrors the volume of political conversations in households nationwide. The anchor emphasized the importance of understanding her guests’ psychology and anticipating their interactions during broadcasts.
The program’s success has contributed to broader changes at CNN, including the rehiring of Brian Stelter and the launch of a satirical comedy show. The network appears to be experimenting with more provocative programming as it seeks to boost viewership amid declining ratings.
