News/Commentary

CNN host visibly agitated when GOP rep jokes about her interview preparedness: ‘It took two minutes’

January 13, 2024 | | Print Article

CNN host Kate Bolduan was visibly agitated with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) for his on-air remarks suggesting that she wasn’t adequately prepared for their interview.

The Kentucky Republican appeared on Friday’s edition of “CNN News Central” when Bolduan asked about his criticism of GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, the media darling whom the establishment is lined up behind as an alternative to former President Donald J. Trump.

After an increasingly contentious back and forth over Massie’s vote against a resolution titled “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s right to exist,” the congressman drew blood by questioning her preparation.

“Recognizing that denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism. You do not support…,” Bolduan, said, reading from a piece of paper.

“That’s the name of the resolution; congratulations, you’re able to read the name of the resolution. I don’t vote on the names,” Massie interrupted.

“Ooh, congressman, I don’t think you’re trying to question my intelligence now, are you?” Bolduan testily shot back.

ADVERTISEMENT

The House lawmaker rejected the host’s suggestion that he thought that she was dumb, saying that he only meant that she didn’t have time to properly prepare for the interview.

“Do you mean the two pages that I read in two minutes this morning and highlighted? The ‘Resolved that the House of Representatives…?” Bolduan angrily replied, animatedly holding up the sheet of paper as a visual for viewers.

“Yeah, it took two minutes,” the chuckling Massie said.

“Oh!” Bolduan said, appearing to have been insulted by the congressman’s quip.

“Good for you, you took minutes. There have been 19 resolutions. I know what’s in all of them. I studied them,” Rep. Massie said. “I say right on social media, if you’ve done a little more research, you wouldn’t have to ask me if I acknowledge Israel’s right to exist. It’s right there on my social media.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Acknowledging that she had indeed read Massie’s social media, the perturbed host stated that the question was “worthy of re-asking.”

“I enjoy this dialogue, I hope I get to come back on and talk about what’s in these bills again,” Massie said with a big smile on his face.

After saying that she’d be happy to have him back on again, Bolduan added that she does not appreciate “when someone even suggests or insinuates that I’m not prepared.”

Responding that he was suggesting that she didn’t have time to do the research that he’d done, Massie said, “You did some research,” jabbing the flustered host one more time before she ended the interview.

“I’m living in Nikki Haley’s head rent free… and trust me, there’s plenty of empty space in here!” Massie posted to X after the former South Carolina governor called him “the most anti-Israel Republican” during CNN’s Wednesday night debate, an observation that led to the angry exchange with Bolduan.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Kate claims she spent a whopping 2 minutes reading a bill to prepare for this interview. If true, that’s two minutes more than Nikki Haley ever spent trying to understand this issue,” Massie posted to X, sharing the segment with Bolduan.

“Nikki Haley is a brunette Liz Cheney,” Massie said in another X post from last month. “She hates free speech as much as she loves war and foreign aid.”

Chris Donaldson
Latest posts by Chris Donaldson (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles