A CNN segment went temporarily off the rails when a former New York Times columnist launched into full condescension mode.
The segment covered the confirmation hearing for New York U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who President Donald Trump had tapped to serve as Director of National Intelligence.
There was one particular moment when Democrats questioned Clayton on whether or not he believes that Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election.
Clayton denied the Dems the soundbite they were searching for and only stated that he’s not an “election denier,” and that Biden had been “certified” the winner.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) asked Jay Clayton during his confirmation hearing to be director of national intelligence whether he denies that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
“I’m not an election denier,” Clayton said. “Joe Biden was certified as the president of the United States.”… pic.twitter.com/0NCdjMrieT
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 15, 2026
Clayton’s answer annoyed CNN’s Abby Phillips and most of the panel.
“That’s kind of embarrassing,” NewsNight host Abby Phillip said to Lydia Moynihan, a financial correspondent for The New York Post. “If he can’t just state a fact, how can he do that other job?”
“I mean, he’d been asked, I think, three times at that point, and he did mince words,” Moynihan responded. “But there’s a lot of theatrics at these kinds of hearings. Jon Ossoff got his soundbite, and Republicans kind of do the same thing. They love to ask, ‘What is a woman?’ And Ketanji Brown Jackson couldn’t answer. A lot of people still can’t answer that question. So to me, it’s theatrics.”
Moynihan continued to make her point but was repeatedly interrupted by former NY Times columnist Charles Blow. As the back-and-forth escalated, Moynihan accused Blow of his own theatrics and said he was trying to score a “social media moment.”
That’s when Blow pulled age-rank and told Moynihan that he won’t be “lectured by a child.”
“I have been in journalism for a very long time. In fact, I came to The New York Times the year that you were born. So, I would choose– I would suggest that you choose a lane that is your own and stay in it. And don’t lecture me because I won’t be lectured by a child. Thank you,” he ended after the long back-and-forth.
A condescending blow hard by the name of Charles Blow melts down at @LydiaMoynihan and calls her a “child” on CNN Newsnight:
Moynihan: “I know you’re trying to get your social media clip with a gotcha… I’m not here to answer to you.”
Blow: “I really appreciate you lecturing… pic.twitter.com/BkpbVyokhF
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 16, 2026
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