CNN host Anderson Cooper got heated with a Donald Trump backer Thursday night, losing his famously calm disposition when the guest tried to explain Trump’s remarks about Muslims at a campaign event.
Cooper asked Andy Dean, former president of Trump Productions, about the Republican real estate mogul’s answer that “we’re going to be looking at that” after a man at a New Hampshire event said Muslims are “a problem in this country” and “we all know our current President is one.” Trump did not correct the supporter.
Dean said it’s “not accurate at all” to say that Trump said “we’re going to be looking at Muslims.” He said the GOP frontrunner meant he would be looking at potential radical Muslim training camps.
“You may laugh it off, but there are potential reports of Muslim radicals,” Dean said, before Cooper interrupted.
“Andy, I’ve spent more time overseas than you ever have in your little life, so don’t tell me about I’m laughing this stuff off,” Cooper said.
The conversation devolved into the two verbally comparing passports, as Cooper pressed Dean on how much time he had spent visiting Muslim countries in the Middle East.
“Not much in the Muslim world, because I don’t want to get killed,” Dean responded.
Anderson apologized for losing his temper later in the broadcast, and mentioned it again on Twitter.
I apologized to a guest on my broadcast tonight because I was rude. I hate rudeness and I am disappointed in myself
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) September 18, 2015
Watch the full exchange below:
Don’t apologize, Coop. No one from Trumplandia will.
No problem Anderson, it’s hard not to be rude to idiots like this.
I don’t think he should have apologized. Sure, he was being a bit condescending, but he had a point and I for one am glad to see “journalist” starting to push back on these crazies when they come on their shows.
I know it makes a whole lot of right wing spinners uncomfortable, but if that’s your job, you better grow thicker skin and learn how to deal with people pushing back on your spin, instead of just receiving carte blanche to smugly throw out your lie without question.
Stand your ground, Cooper. It’s the only way to deal with bullies.
so there you have it… the Republicans wanna talk like John Wayne or Ah-nold but when push comes to shove they lift their skirts and tiptoe away…
apologies to all the women that serve with honor…