What To Know
- Scott Jennings, CNN’s lone conservative panelist, embraces his role as the “Lonely Scott” and values the opportunity to present right-leaning viewpoints.
- Jennings credits CNN for fostering genuine debate and believes his presence exposes gaps in liberal arguments.
- He describes Donald Trump as humorous, decisive, and a good listener, challenging the negative media caricature and highlighting Trump’s hospitality and leadership traits.
Scott Jennings has been opening up about being the lone conservative at the table on CNN and spending time with President Donald Trump.
In a recent interview with USA Today to promote his new book, A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization, Jennings was asked whether it’s “lonely” being the sole right-wing voice on the left-leaning CNN.
“It’s quite fun. Some nights it is lonely because I’m the only person at the table who has the capacity to articulate the views of half or 80% or 90% of the American people,” Jennings said, responding to a comment about HBO’s Bill Maher referring to him as “Lonely Scott.”
Even though he described the construct of the show as “crazy,” Jennings admitted he is “happy” and “privileged” to have the job.
“CNN deserves a lot of credit, in my opinion, for putting a debating show on the air that allows a conservative to articulate the viewpoint of that many Americans,” he stated. “Most cable is six people sitting around agreeing with each other, and it’s boring, and you don’t learn anything.”
Jennings is a regular panelist on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, where he presents and defends MAGA talking points. This often leads to heated debates with his fellow panelists, including, most recently, accusations of making “racial” comments towards a guest on the show.
“These debates are instructive,” Jennings told USA Today, claiming he is “able to both articulate the conservative or middle America view, but at the same time, I’m often able to expose the hypocrisy or the holes in the liberal arguments. And without me sitting there, you wouldn’t get that.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Jennings was asked about spending time with Trump and how the President differs in person to the man portrayed in the media.
Jennings said Trump is “funny,” describing him as “Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield, and Dave Chappelle had a baby and Donald Trump was what came out.”
“He is hilarious. He is a professional towel snapper. He is warm. He is a good listener,” he added, noting how he was present as Trump spoke with advisers. “I think the caricature of him wouldn’t lead you to know that, the media caricature.”
According to Jennings, Trump “listens to debates, “asks good questions,” and “absorbs information.” These comments come after the President shut down a Bloomberg reporter aboard Air Force One last Friday (November 13) by telling her, “Quiet, piggy!”
Jennings said the most crucial facet of Trump’s character is that he’s “extremely decisive,” something he believed former President Joe Biden wasn’t.
“Trump is decisive, and that’s a strong character trait for a President,” the CNN commentator shared. “I’ll tell you something else. He’s hospitable, and we should know that because he comes from the hospitality industry. But the time I spent with him, he’s solicitous of everyone in the room.”