A CNN discussion about Charlottesville protest became uncivilized after a guest told another to “shut up.”
Former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli had been in a heated discussion with former Bernie Sanders press secretary Symone Sanders on CNN’s New Day, when Cuccinelli rudely told Simone to keep shut when she interrupted him.
“Can I finish, Simone?” Cuccinelli said. “Will you just shut up for a minute?” This incensed Simone such that she flew into a rage and launched a verbal attack on Cuccinelli.
“You don’t get to tell me to shut up on national television!” Sanders said. “I’m sorry. Under no circumstances do you get to speak to me in that manner. You should exhibit some decorum.”
Both Sanders and Cuccinelli kept raising their voices to talk over each other until the anchor Chris Cuomo condemned Cuccinelli’s remark.
“We don’t tell people to shut up on this show,” Cuomo said. “You can stand up for yourself and still be civil.” Cuomo asked Cuccinelli to apologize but he didn’t in the initial exchange and argued that Sanders was at fault for interrupting him “How do I keep talking when people keep interrupting me?” Cuccinelli said.
However, later in the segment, Sanders called on him to apologize to her. She said: “I’m still waiting for my apology from Mr. Cuccinelli to tell me to shut up on national television.” Cuccinelli eventually replied: “I’ll apologize for telling her to shut up, and I’ll accept her apology for interrupting me.” Sanders replied, “I don’t have an apology for you. You will not get one.”
