CNN slammed after Kasie Hunt abruptly ends her interview with Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A visibly displeased CNN host Kasie Hunt abruptly ended her interview with a Trump campaign spokeswoman on Monday, June 24, after the latter pilloried her coworkers Dana Bash and Jake Tapper for being biased against the former president.

"That’s why President Trump is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network, on CNN, with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well known over the past eight years. And their biased coverage of him," campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, previewing the debate on Thursday, June 20, between Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

Kasie Hunt wasn't pleased to hear Dana Bash and Jake Tapper get criticized

The much awaited debate will be co-moderated by Bash and Tapper and Hunt wasn't happy to hear them chastised.

"So I‘ll just say my colleagues, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle. I‘ll also say that if you talk to analysts of previous debates, that if you’re attacking the moderators, you’re usually losing," Hunt responded, according to Fox News. 

Karoline Leavitt argued she was stating facts about Dana Bash and Jake Tapper

Leavitt informed Hunt that it would only take five minutes to look up Tapper and his analysis of the former president after Hunt attempted to return the focus of the conversation to the debate. "Ma'am, I'm going to stop this interview if you're going to continue to attack my colleagues," Hunt said. 

Hunt ended the interview, raising her voice as she returned to the panel after Leavitt countered that she was merely reporting facts about Tapper and Bash. "I would like to talk about Joe Biden and Donald Trump, whom you work for," Hunt said. When Leavitt continued, Hunt signaled to cut her off.

Kasie Hunt thanked Karoline Leavitt and said she is 'welcome to come back at any point'

"I'm sorry, guys, we're going to come back out to the panel," Hunt said, adding "Karoline, thank you very much for your time. You are welcome to come back at any point. She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump, and Donald Trump will have equal time to Joe Biden when they both join us later this week in Atlanta for this debate."

Kasie Hunt turned to her CNN panel after the clash 

Hunt turned to her CNN panel and predicted more attacks from Trump fans "on how this debate is conducted" following the altercation. "As you know, our colleagues Jake and Dana have played a role in our conversations throughout, they have interviewed candidates on both sides," Hunt said. CNN's John King agreed it was part of the Trump team's strategy. 

Afterward, Hunt posted on X about the exchange, saying "you respect my colleagues" when appearing on her show. 

Joe Biden and Donald Trump agreed to the rules of the debate

The rules of the debate, which include no live audience, no pre-written notes, no muted microphones during speaking times, and no conferring with campaign aides during breaks, were accepted by both Biden and Trump.

Van Jones of CNN issued a warning on Thursday, June 27, saying that a mistake by Biden in the debate would be "game over" for him. 

"Because if Biden goes out there and messes up, it’s game over. If he walks out there and a week later he’s lower in the polls, it’s panic in the party," he said, adding "But if he goes in there and he can handle himself against Donald Trump — a runaway train, a locomotive, a raging bull — then this guy deserves another shot to be president, because that is tough."

Internet slams CNN and Kasie Hunt after cutting off Karoline Leavitt from the interview

Netizens lambasted the news organization and Hunt after she ended the interview with the Trump campaign spokesperson in a seemingly unprofessional manner.

One X user criticized, "This clearly demonstrates the loss of freedom of speech under the Biden regime. This is the same as those jailed for memes, journalists killed for reporting, loss of access to the META platform for making conservative political statements regarding Hunter Biden's laptop, COVID mandates, opposing genital mutilation of children..." 

Another commented, "They don’t like to get called out. It’s gonna be 3 on 1 on Thursday night. Funny that Biden hasn’t agreed to a Fox News debate." "Just a taste of what’s coming at the debate," predicted one. "I think people watch CNN just for the commercials," added another user. 

One user echoed, "You don't expect @CNN to actually have real journalists do you," while another tweeted, "They knows what the spokesperson was saying is the truth, and everyone knows it won’t be a fair debate!!!" 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.