Maybe it was the knowledge that Tucker Carlson was interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Maybe it was the very idea of Donald Trump’s name on a Colorado ballot. Or maybe it was, as one user on X suggested, the result of “24/7 lying.”
Regardless of the reason, CNN was forced to kill anchor Wolf Blitzer’s feed on Thursday and cut to a commercial.
Blitzer was interviewing House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) about Colorado’s ballot controversy when it appeared the anchor’s stomach began to turn.
As Raskin accused the conservative Supreme Court justices of having “their minds completely made up” before hearing the oral arguments, Blitzer’s eyes glazed over and he began silently battling the urge to throw up.
Viewers were treated to nearly a minute of Blitzer choking back vomit on one side of their screen as Raskin, clearly unaware of his host’s predicament, rambled away on the other.
Finally, CNN killed Blitzer’s feed, leaving Raskin alone to finish his completely upstaged point.
The network pulled the plug just in time. The sounds of off-camera heaving accompanied Raskin’s final thoughts before CNN cut to a commercial.
Ummm is Wolf Blitzer ok?
pic.twitter.com/yQReExxZ9Z— Nick Carey-Guillory (@NickGuillory) February 9, 2024
Following the break, CNN’s chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid was sitting in Blitzer’s chair.
“Wolf had to step away,” Reid told concerned viewers. “He’ll be back.”
When he failed to make it back before the close of his 6 p.m. show, social media lit up with snark.
Couldn’t digest Tucker getting the scoop
— мαηιѕн (@_manishkapoor) February 9, 2024
That’s what 24/7 lying will do to a person.
— weeneywaney (@weenywaney) February 9, 2024
Others were more sympathetic.
“I hope @wolfblitzer is ok,” said one user. “That was scary.”
I hope @wolfblitzer is ok. That was scary.
— Lynda Lambert (@lambert_lynda) February 8, 2024
Blitzer later took to X to thank fans for their concern.
“I’m fine!” he exclaimed. “Thanks for the well wishes. I’ll see you back in the Situation Room soon.”
I’m fine! Thanks for the well wishes. I’ll see you back in the Situation Room soon.
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) February 9, 2024
Blitzer’s colleagues were relieved to hear it.
Nobody kinder and more decent than @wolfblitzer – feel better!! https://t.co/1Yuoyj5LWG
— Laura Jarrett (@LauraAJarrett) February 9, 2024
Truly no one better than @wolfblitzer — we all love you and can’t wait to have you back with us very soon! https://t.co/PD2ewTGkLX
— Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) February 9, 2024
We love you @wolfblitzer !
— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) February 9, 2024
He threw up and caught it. Pro move.
— Jon Darren (@jondarren) February 9, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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