CNN host Abby Phillip slammed as she downplays polls showing support for Trump’s crime crackdown

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN host Abby Phillip directly challenged the narrative that Americans support Donald Trump’s use of federal troops to combat urban crime, arguing that concern over safety doesn’t equal backing for military intervention.

Speaking on 'NewsNight', Phillip emphasized that while voters recognize rising crime as a serious issue, many don’t agree with Trump’s aggressive tactics. Her comments followed an AP-NORC poll showing that 55% of Americans approve of military assistance to local police, and 81% consider crime in major cities a significant problem.

Abby Phillip explores voters’ views on Trump’s crime crackdown

During the Tuesday, August 2, episode of 'NewsNight', Abby Phillip sparred with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro over Donald Trump’s tough-on-crime approach, starting with Washington, DC, and his plans to target Chicago next.

Shapiro criticized liberal lawmakers for downplaying crime in Chicago, arguing that dismissing it as “not a big deal” is a strategic misstep. In response, Phillip pushed back, saying the conversation should stay grounded in reality. “[I want] to focus on the reality, like the actual things that are happening,” she said.

Phillip argued that voters are being underestimated. “Voters are not — I think we are treating voters stupider than they are,” she said. “You ask them in polls and they say, 'We think crime is a problem. We don't like the way Trump is handling it in the way that he is sending the National Guard.'"

She declared, "They want Trump to do more about crime. They don’t necessarily want him to send troops to cities."

Her comments came despite a recent AP-NORC poll showing that 81% of Americans view crime in major cities as a “major problem,” and 55% support using the US military or National Guard to assist local police. The same poll also recorded Trump’s highest-ever approval rating, up five points from the previous month.

Before Phillip spoke, Shapiro warned that Trump was politically baiting Democrats with his crime policies.

"President Trump does have a habit of wrongfooting his political opponents in a unique way on this sort of stuff," he said.

"And you can make the argument, I think a plausible argument, that National Guard troops should not be on the ground enforcing crime. Both legally and just a matter of general policy. But, if the position you end up taking is that there is no serious crime emergency in Chicago, on a rhetorical level - not on a legal level, on a rhetorical level - or you make the case that," the conservative commentator added. 

Internet slams Abby Phillip for downplaying approval of Trump's crime crackdown

After a clip of Abby Phillip discussing voters’ views on Donald Trump’s crime crackdown went viral, many internet users quickly mocked and criticized her.

One user wrote, “Abby is such a cringe talker. When she speaks, we all cringe 😬,” while another questioned Phillip’s claim, asking, “How can voters handle these topics? There is a serious issue in Chicago for the longest time. What have they done about it?” 

Some echoed Phillip’s use of the word “stupider” but mocked her, saying, “‘Stupider’? You can’t make this up. 🤣🤡.” Another user declared, “And she finishes with even more stupidity.”

“Abby just responded with a line of unorganized and meaningless words. I’m not sure what she said, and neither does she,” an individual quipped. 

An X user went further, saying, "I honestly dont think in my entire life I've seen a more inept, politically motivated, race baiting, blatantly lying news host than @abbydphillip . She honestly thinks people are as dumb as she is! I listen to her just to see if she can set the bar for her ignorance any higher.🤔."

“What she said is a lie. Residents in high-crime areas want the National Guard to come help,” a netizen claimed. 

Another simply labeled her as “quite delusional.”

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