CNN anchor John Berman and Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley did their best impersonations of Tuesday night’s debate during a heated interview on Wednesday morning.
The two men argued over whether Trump had adequately condemned white supremacy and the far-right group known as the Proud Boys. Berman claimed that Trump “didn’t call them out,” while Gidley noted that the president has condemned white supremacists in the past.
“John, when he was asked would he disavow them, would he condemn them, he said ‘sure’ three times in the one clip you just played. I don’t know how many other ways you want him to condemn these types of groups,” Gidley said.
The interview devolved into cross-talk for the next several minutes, during which Gidley shouted about Joe Biden’s record on issues of race while Berman repeatedly said “Hogan” and claimed that Biden should defend his own record but that Gidley must address the president’s record.
“This isn’t the debate stage last night,” Berman said while attempting to cut off Gidley. “You will talk when I ask a question.”
“That’s not the way this works,” Gidley responded. “I’ll talk when I want to talk. You’re leveling completely ridiculous charges against a man who has a great record on racial justice in this country.”
Trump’s comment about the Proud Boys, telling the group to “stand back and stand by,” appears to have emboldened the group, which has been tied to violent protests and hateful ideologies. The group showed off a new logo, “Stand Back, Stand By,” and began selling shirts that read, “Proud Boys Standing By.”
