Scott Jennings backs Trump’s ‘have to bring in talent’ claim and argues the comment is misread

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings on Wednesday, November 12, defended President Donald Trump’s controversial Fox News interview, during which the president claimed that the United States lacked enough skilled talent.

Jennings, speaking on CNN's 'News Night', argued that Trump’s critics were missing the nuance of his remarks. 

“He is supported by a great many people who see the value in highly specialized, talented people being able to come here,” Jennings said, referring to the president’s comments about importing foreign expertise.

Scott Jennings argues Trump’s remark was misinterpreted

Host Abby Phillip pushed back, saying that Trump’s statement “we don’t have talented people in the United States” was “on its face untrue.”

When Jennings asked if Phillip opposed the H-1B visa program, she clarified, “No, I’m just saying what he’s saying, that we don’t have talented people, is just on its face untrue.”

Jennings maintained that Trump was only suggesting “there’s room for more talent.”

He explained, "I was interpreting his answer as, 'Look, we have needs and room for the most talented people we can get.'"

Former White House aide Keith Boykin countered that Jennings’ defense didn’t match Trump’s actual words.

Phillip agreed, adding, “There is a huge gap between what you’re saying and what Trump actually said.”

Scott Jennings clashes with Abby Phillip over Trump’s comments

Jennings insisted that Trump’s position was being unfairly portrayed.

He claimed that the president’s acknowledgement of a skills shortage was not an insult to American workers, but rather a recognition of the need for global talent in specialized industries.

“Trump is in a difficult political position because his base is diversified, some hardliners, some moderates, and some who want it more wide open. But they’re all part of his coalition, and he’s trying to find a balance,” Jennings said. 

He added that being “America First” and welcoming skilled immigrants were not mutually exclusive ideas.

“You can be America First and also recognize that there may be times you import talent from other countries. That makes America stronger. We’ve done that for decades,” Jennings said.

Panelists say Trump’s remarks contradict ‘America First’ rhetoric

Democratic strategist Madeline Summerville said that Jennings’ defense highlighted the dilemma Trump’s allies often reportedly face when he makes sweeping claims.

“This s**ks for you guys because Trump has put you in a very difficult position,” she told Jennings. “If Joe Biden or any other Democrat would have said this, you’d be like, ‘That’s ridiculous!’”

Summerville added that Trump’s comments undercut his own “America First” message, particularly after his administration recently approved billions in aid to Argentina.

“I think it’s quite difficult to defend somebody who puts you in a position of saying we should put somebody else besides America first,” she said.

Jennings, however, rejected that criticism. “It’s quite easy for me to be perfectly comfortable with the president of the United States who is presiding over a broad coalition that does have disparate views,” he stated.

Trump claims there isn't enough US talent

During his appearance on Fox News’ 'The Ingraham Angle' on Tuesday, Trump argued that the United States needed to bring in more skilled workers to sustain its industries.

“You also do have to bring in talent,” Trump told host Laura Ingraham, when discussing the need for foreign labor. When Ingraham replied, “We have plenty of talented people here,” Trump bluntly responded, “No, you don’t.”

He elaborated that certain sectors, such as missile production and battery manufacturing, require expertise not easily available in the domestic workforce.

Trump cited an example from Georgia, where South Korean workers trained local employees in complex battery assembly, describing it as “very complicated and dangerous work.”