Viewers who tuned into NewsNight With Abby Phillip on Thursday night time (August 14) have been sad with CNN for that includes former Greatest Loser coach Jillian Michaels amid President Donald Trump‘s controversial Smithsonian directive.
On Thursday, the Trump administration allegedly despatched a letter to Smithsonian Establishment Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III requesting an inside assessment of its museums in an effort to take away “improper ideology” from its reveals. The aim is claimed to make sure Smithsonian’s reveals “have a good time American exceptionalism, take away divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural establishments.”
Phillip and her co-hosts mentioned the directive on Thursday’s version of NewsNight, which noticed the panel reacting to backlash from numerous historians and political figures who’ve argued the federal government is making an attempt to whitewash American historical past.
Michaels shot down these criticisms, saying, per The Wrap, “[Trump’s] not whitewashing slavery. He’s not. You can not tie imperialism and racism and slavery simply to at least one race, which is just about what each single [museum] exhibit does.”
The remainder of the panel took the health coach to job, with Phillip reminding her that they’re speaking in regards to the Smithsonian’s reveals on American historical past. “Jillian, I’m stunned that you simply’re making an attempt to litigate who was the beneficiary of slavery,” she stated. “Within the context of American historical past, what are you saying is wrong by saying that it was white folks oppressing Black folks?”
Michaels: You can not tie imperialism and racism and slavery to only one race, which is just about what each single exhibit does… Solely lower than 2% of white People personal slaves. You notice that slavery is hundreds of years outdated?
Phillip: I’m very stunned you are attempting to… pic.twitter.com/KOe9rSAcTV
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 14, 2025
Michaels, who starred on the NBC weight-loss competitors collection The Greatest Loser on and off from 2004 to 2013, continued to defend her level. “Each single factor is like, ‘Oh, no, no, no, that is all as a result of white folks unhealthy,’” she acknowledged. “That’s simply not the reality.”
The heated debate, particularly Michaels’ feedback, had folks speaking on social media, with many blasting CNN for that includes somebody with no political background or standing.
“Really humiliating stuff right here from @JillianMichaels — and from @CNN for giving nonsense like this air time night time after night time as our democracy hangs within the stability,” wrote one X person.
“That is what occurs while you elevate a boring fitness center coach to political pundit,” stated one other.
“Why is Jillian Michaels on a CNN panel speaking about slavery[?] Cable information deserves no matter is coming for it,” one other added.
One other wrote, “Jillian Michaels is a health teacher. No shade to my fitness center boos. However exterior of being a media “persona,” what credentials does she should be on CNN speaking about politics and cultural points?”
“It’s not adequate to criticize simply Jillian Michaels. Additionally criticize the networks consciously selecting to platform her and different bigots,” one viewer wrote. “They know what they’re doing they usually select to ask these ppl over certified specialists as a result of consideration issues extra to them than fact.”
“CNN ought to by no means enable Jillian Michaels on any present once more. The lies she stated about slavery shouldn’t be tolerated on a nationwide information present or community,” stated one other.
“That is what you get when a has-been health guru will get platformed on a political speak present. A very uninformed ignorant opinion that merely wastes time,” added one commenter.
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