A tense moment unfolded during a segment on NewsNight with Abby Phillip when cultural critic Touré, a CNN guest and former MSNBC host, found himself in an awkward silence after making an incorrect remark about President Trump’s control over the U.S. military.
The Gaffe That Sparked Confusion
The discussion took an unexpected turn when Touré, while discussing Trump’s actions in the White House, brought up the topic of the administration’s supposed “control of the military.”
This led to a sharp response from conservative panelist Jennings.
“Yes. Commander-in-chief. Head of the military,” Jennings interjected firmly, making it clear that the president holds the role as leader of the armed forces.
Touré’s Confusing Response
Despite Jennings’ clarification, Touré persisted with his argument.
“This is what you do in a dictatorship,” he remarked, suggesting that the president’s authority over the military was out of line.
Jennings, visibly confused by Touré’s statement, pressed further.
“Are you suggesting that the president is not the commander-in-chief of the military?” he asked, pointing out the obvious contradiction in Touré’s claim.
The Moment of Silence
Touré attempted to clarify by arguing that Trump would appoint someone who would violate the Constitution.
However, Jennings wasn’t backing down. “He’s going to put someone in charge who will contravene the Constitution—but who? What do you mean by that?” he questioned, holding Touré to his own words.
Jennings repeated, “The president is in charge of the military, is he not?” prompting an uncomfortable silence.
Abby Phillip Steps In
As the tension grew, host Abby Phillip interjected to clear up the confusion.
“The president is in charge of the military,” she stated, reinforcing the basic structure of U.S. governance.
The Public’s Reaction
The exchange quickly gained attention from viewers, many of whom were baffled by Touré’s statement.
On X (formerly Twitter), viewers expressed their disbelief.
One commenter wrote, “Touré, bro… you really didn’t know the President was the commander-in-chief? Come on, man.”
Others were equally harsh: “He might be the dumbest person they’ve let on yet, and that’s saying something,” one person remarked.
Another added, “If you don’t know that the President controls the military, then you need to wear a helmet while walking around.”
A Painful but Memorable Moment
Despite the awkwardness, some viewers found the situation oddly entertaining.
“These bits are incredibly painful to watch.
Where do these folks get these ideas?” one user mused, while another admitted, “I kind of enjoy it.
Reminds me of watching car crashes.”