WATCH: Democrat Senator Gets Into Heated Exchange with CNN Reporter

The left is destroying itself before our eyes…

Today, Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin was asked by CNN reporter Manu Raju why Congress should get a raise.

This has to be one of the most legitimate questions I’ve ever heard from CNN, to be honest: “People look at the performance of Congress and say ‘Why should we give them more money?’”

For context, the reporter was referencing the new spending bill, which would give Congress members a pay raise — raising their annual salary from $174K to $243K.

Frankly, it was a good question…but, Sen. Durbin was not happy to hear it.

He looked angry then turned the tables on Raju, commenting about CNN’s plummeting ratings…

“What about the media?… Half of your listeners are not there anymore and you’re still getting the same paycheck.”

Watch for yourself:

🚨The Dems are eating themselves alive:

CNN Reporter: “People look at the performance of Congress and say ‘Why should we give them more money?’”

Senator Durbin: “What about the media?… Half of your listeners are not there anymore and you’re still getting the same paycheck.” pic.twitter.com/m7k4q8euRG

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 18, 2024

Democrat Senator Durbin tells @cnn reporter: “Half of your viewers aren’t there any more and you’re still getting the same paycheck.” Holy crap. pic.twitter.com/ZPXBhFngnC

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 18, 2024

Hell has officially froze over. Democrats are fighting with CNN:

CNN: “Why should [Americans] give Congress a pay raise?”

Democrat Dick Durbin: “What about the media? Think about that for a second.”

CNN: “We’re not paid by public money.”

Durbin: “I know you’re not but half of… pic.twitter.com/8oiY62jQ7P

— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) December 18, 2024

Fox News reported on the tense exchange:

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., locked horns with a CNN reporter on Wednesday after he learned the “good news” that lawmakers would potentially be getting a pay raise.

The proposed spending bill in Congress will give lawmakers their first pay raise since 2009, something which has received mix reaction across the political spectrum.

Durbin was asked about the congressional pay raises by CNN host Manu Raju, who asked, “members are giving themselves a pay raise. Do you guys deserve a pay raise?”

“Well, that‘s news to me. It‘s good news,” Durbin responded. “You know what has it been 10 years or 14 years and no cola, no change at all? I think it‘s about time something‘s done.”

When asked again whether he supports the raise, Durbin continued to express surprise at the provision, “How would I not know about a pay raise?”

Raju pressed the senator, suggesting that “people look at the performance of Congress and say, ‘Why should we give them more money?'”

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However, Durbin fired back at the CNN reporter, asking him how he and his colleagues in the media get paid the same when their ratings are down.

“What about the media? Think about that for a second,” Durbin said.

“We’re not paid by public money,” Raju replied.

“I know you’re not,” Durbin said. “But I mean, half of your listeners are not there anymore. You‘re still getting the same paycheck. What‘s going on?”

“Well, I mean, you’re taxpayer money, I mean, you guys deserve a raise?” Raju asked.

Sen. Durbin was, of course, referencing the steep decline in viewership from MSM networks like CNN, which have seen engagement plummet in the past year, and especially since the election.

However, as many people on X are pointing out, Fake News networks are being forced to cut costs and lay off employees like crazy.

If people don’t watch, they don’t get paid.

On the other hand, Congress is still guaranteed a paycheck from the taxpayers, regardless of how happy the taxpayers that fund their salaries are with their performance…

Take a look at these great, common sense responses:

Well, who’s gonna tell him that his statement makes no sense. As every American, not matter what political side you are on, knows-wholeheartedly- that the media is not a “leader/representative” of the United States. The media are not elected- this is just their job. ABSOLUTELY NO…

— Hollybell99 (@hollybell99) December 19, 2024

Funny response but look how in debt our country is.. Congress doesn’t deserve a payraise

— aka (@akafacehots) December 18, 2024

It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Not the same at all. The media personnel is getting paid by their private employer, Congress and Senate is getting paid with tax money.

— Becie (@RadianceBrown) December 18, 2024

Uh oh. Two wrongs just made a right…

— SaneMale of Magadonia (@GTAlumFromGA) December 18, 2024