CNN Panelist Derails Colleague’s Pro-Biden Spin With One Simple Question: ‘That’s Not The Point’

With a stable of left-wing hosts and guests, CNN is typically a safe space to defend the left’s lies and unfairly target conservatives.

When Scott Jennings is one of the panelists, however, there’s a chance that those partisan talking points will encounter some actual pushback.

That’s what happened during a recent on-air discussion about Joe Biden’s truth-deficient farewell address. Jennings and fellow “Anderson Cooper 360” panelist Ashley Etienne engaged in a back-and-forth after he cut her off in the middle of an effort to spin Biden’s speech as a triumph.

According to the Daily Caller:

On CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” Etienne said that she believed it was “incredibly important” for Biden to point out the issue of “myths and disinformation” on social media platforms, adding that President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration would “continue to undermine the truth.”

Jennings then posed a question.

“Has Joe Biden, Kamala Harris or Kareem Jean-Pierre ever lied?” Jennings asked.

Etienne said she did not know.

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“What are you talking about? I know where you’re going with this, but that’s not the point,” Etienne said. “Donald Trump stands up at the podium every day and delivers lies.”

Prior to Biden’s poor debate against Trump, legacy media outlets and Democrats, including press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, attempted to downplay concerns about the president’s mental fitness. They accused Republicans, and, at times, Russia, of creating a negative narrative. During a briefing on July 23, Jean-Pierre labeled videos of Biden appearing confused or stumbling on his words as “cheap fakes” created by Republicans.

Vice President Kamala Harris, throughout her presidential campaign, was consistently questioned on her flip-flopping of left-wing policies she had advocated prior to entering the White House in 2021.

“Your speech is about the truth, and one thing about Biden that has always vexed Republicans is that he spends a lot of time talking about him being the center of truth and the restoration of the soul of the nation,” Jennings said.

Biden’s farewell address has been widely mocked and criticized on social media:

.@DanaPerino: To me, it felt like Biden’s farewell address speechwriters have already left the building, and they asked ChatGPT to write a speech for Joe Biden in which he doesn’t remember he was president for the last four years. pic.twitter.com/l06IyItxrP

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) January 16, 2025

In his farewell address, Joe Biden mistakingly says, “End of quote.”

That gaffe sums up his embarrassing presidency.pic.twitter.com/UicH1qcYeT

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 16, 2025

BREAKING: In his farewell address, President Joe Biden warns the nation about the dangers of an "ultrawealthy oligarchy" that must "pay their fair share of taxes."

However, just weeks ago, Biden granted his son, Hunter, an unprecedented decade-long pardon, shielding him from tax… pic.twitter.com/QPH8YRyRvd

— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) January 16, 2025

Fox News covered much of the reaction:

“Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich,” GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace posted on X.

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“What an embarrassing and pathetic end to an embarrassing and pathetic term,” Fox News host Greg Gutfeld posted on X.

“Joe Biden can’t even read. Every time he speaks it gets worse,” conservative commentator and radio host Clay Travis posted on X. “Trying to run him in 2024 is the most reckless and indefensible presidential decision in any of our lives.”

“My thoughts on President Joe Biden’s Farewell Address: It was underwhelming and divisive,” Gabriella Hoffman, Independent Women’s Forum Center for Energy & Conservation director, posted on X.

“I’m relieved his four-year term is coming to an end. Mr. Biden failed to bring Americans together and pushed terrible ‘whole of government’ policies that weakened us on many fronts: energy, national security, economics/small business, foreign affairs, and general freedoms. History won’t look kindly on Biden’s tenure. He’s now the most unpopular U.S. President in history.”

And here’s what Jennings thought of the whole speech:

My immediate reaction to Biden’s farewell address on @cnn tonight. pic.twitter.com/7338sUo0KS

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) January 16, 2025