When Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi ingratiated herself to Anderson Cooper during a live CNN interview in Orlando, she surely expected the niceties to keep flowing hither and yon. After Bondi praised the reporter for calling out the names of the 49 victims massacred at Pulse nightclub, Cooper abruptly switched gears, pointing out her “hypocrisy” in regard to Florida’s gay community.
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“I saw you the other day,” he claimed, “saying that anyone who attacks the LGBT community — our LGBT community, you said — will be gone after to the full extend of the law.”
He continued:
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“I talked to a lot of gay and lesbian people here yesterday who are not fans of yours and said that they thought you were being a hypocrite, that you for years have fought—you’ve basically gone after gay people, said that in court that gay people simply by fighting for marriage equality were trying to do harm to the people of Florida.”
“Do you really think you’re a champion of the gay community?”
Bondi did her best to sidestep the question, gingerly arguing that her opposition to marriage equality simply boiled down to the oath she took to uphold the law.
Related: Wife Of Orlando Shooter Knew Of His Murderous Plans, Didn’t Warn Police
“I’ve never said I don’t like gay people,” she assured him.
A bit of backstory: As The Daily Beast reports, Bondi filed a brief in May 2014 that claimed “disrupting Florida’s existing marriage laws would impose significant public harm.”
Cooper inquired whether she was at all concerned that such language might “send a message” to people like Omar Mateen; potentially dangerous people who harbor dangerous animosity towards the gay community and already have “bad ideas in mind.”
Bondi tried to smooth over the line of questioning, insisting she never thought gay marriage would cause “harm.”
“Those words never came out of my mouth,” she claimed.
“That’s what you argued in court,” Cooper replied. “The hotline that you’ve been talking about on television, which allows family members and spouses of the dead to get information, which is incredibly important, and I appreciate you talking about on the air… had there been no gay marriage, no same-sex marriage, you do realize that spouses—there would be no spouses, that boyfriends and girlfriends of the dead would not be able to get information and would not be able to visit in the hospital here. Isn’t there a sick irony in that?”
Bondi says she’s gone one step further and assisted unmarried partners in their attempt to get information revoling around the crime.
Cooper emphasizes she’d quite recently argued the “very idea” that same-sex couples should have that right:
“Is it hypocritical to portray yourself as a champion of the gay community when—I’m just reflecting what gay people told me—they don’t see you as this?It’s just that, I will say I have never really seen you talk about gays and lesbians and transgender people in a positive way until now.”
Bondi’s battle against gay marriage cost Florida taxpayers around $500,000.
Watch the highly charged exchange below:
Billy Budd
Anderson Cooper is awesome. He fried the bitch.
Brian
Anderson Cooper is a buffoon. He should go and criticize an imam in front of his mosque. Is he too scared to do so?
Anderson, you’re a disappointment. Go and criticize Islam for a change, you buffoon.
Berkleyguy
Anderson Cooper is no a buffoon than you are, Brian with your post. The fact that the shooter had ties to ISIS is secondary to the pure hatred espoused by his vicious act. I applaud Cooper for taking the Florida AG to task with her back pedaling on her statements that were made public. She has been a thorn in the side of every GLBTQ person and their allies for so long, it’s about time that someone get in her face and check her for being the homophobic hypocrite she is.
Billy Budd
@Berkleyguy: did you notice that most people don’t even try to reply to Brian’s posts anymore? He is the resident buffoon at Queerty.
James
She is a hideous homophobic hypocrite monster. She also dropped the charges against trump university for ripping off people after Trump gave her a big fat donation. She is a creep and a sell out.
Lestar
At this point, I’m quite convinced that Brian is actually Donald Trump….I tell you.
Kangol
@Billy Budd: I had to on another thread. It was posting from Breitbart. Its link said something about Hillary Clinton receiving donations from repressive regimes, even though Donald Trump also does business with violently repressive, homophobic regimes, and repeatedly has praised Vladimir Putin, who oversees a brutal, anti-gay government. The irony’s lost on Brian/Jason Smeds, which is the other tag he used to post under.
Brian
Anderson Cooper is a buffoon. If he had the courage of his convictions, he would protest outside a mosque where daily hatreds are spewed against homosexuality. Shame on you, Anderson.
Is Anderson Cooper putting multiculturalism before homosexuality? I’ll let you be the judge.
Brian
Trump isn’t denying his business links. Keep in mind that vodka markets to gays. And we all know where vodka comes from, don’t we? Gays love their vodka made from homophobic Russian hands, don’t they?
Hillary’s shame is that she claims to be on the side of male gays but accepts cash from the most anti-gay nations on earth. Shame, Hillary, shame.
GC1985
I thought Brian hated all women lol.
Pam Biondi should be under federal investigation for accepting bribes.
@Brian: A lot of Vodka comes from Sweden you dolt. Russian vodka sales have collapsed in America in recent years because of the political situation in that country along with Putin’s intervention into Ukraine which led to sanctions.
Hillary is on the side of gay people. Donald Trump is a anti-gay bigot fearmongering idiot who is now 12% behind Hillary in recent polling.
Kangol
I am watching Rachel Maddow’s show right now and she’s just shown two Christian ministers, Roger Jiménez and Steven Anderson , who 1) call the murdered people “pedophiles” and 2) wish that the killer had been able to slaughter more. There are no words. And Pat Robertson also publicly wished that more gay people were killed. No words. Really. These people are abominable. Glad that Anderson Cooper stood up to this Florida GOP crackpot.
misterhollywood
Anderson did a great job on calling this nasty wench out on her crap. I hope more of the hypocrites get exposed for the liars they are. She looked like she was going to shrivel into herself.
GC1985
Kaboom.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-06-14/bloomberg-politics-national-poll-june-2016
Trump is now said to be imploding. The first post-shooting poll has showed Hillary storming to a strong lead and her supporters are now more enthusiastic than his. In addition, many are starting to flee his c@mpagin in recent weeks. His attacking other republicans have driven many segments to Hillary. Gary Johnson is also playing a spoiler to Trump like Ross Perot in a sense.
It could get even worse for Trump once Bernie endorses Hillary. Her lead could jump to 15-18% from what I suspect after any such endorsement. The overwhelming majority of Sanders supporters now see Trump as a mortal enemy to democracy.
Brian
Clinton Foundation allegedly accepts cash from countries that execute gays. Thanks, Hillary. Your gays will love you for it.
GC1985
Trump does business in Saudi Arabia and has hundreds of active contracts in the country (your Hillary claim is “alleged” and totally unproven).
Multiple sources:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-saudi-arabia-911-business-deals-a7038991.html
http://qz.com/568178/donald-trump-owes-much-of-his-fortune-to-wea/
He also does business with the Saudi Prince and Qatar Airways (owned by the Qatari royal family).
https://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/ap_070628033154.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1024
http://money.cnn.com/2015/12/08/news/donald-trump-muslim-countries-business/
Lying liar will always be a liar.
Brian
My dear Hillary,
Thank you for being such a champion of gay rights. It strengthens me as a person. I feel so empowered.
I don’t care that the Clinton Foundation allegedly accepted cash from Saudi Arabia or other gay-hating countries. All I care about is that you talk good things about us. Even though you don’t walk the walk, you at least talk the talk.
Talking the talk is important. It empowers my gay spine. It gives me the power to go to nightclubs on Saturday and take amyl. I feel so strong and powerful when the smoke from Mary Jane blunts wafts through the cabin-like rooms of the gay club maze.
Then I smell the sperm stains. They empower me. I think of you, Hillary, as I’m doing it. I am here because of you. Without you, I am nothing as a gay man.
GC1985
If you’re so critical of Trump, little Brian… why not talk about the actual business links that Trump had and still has with Saudi Arabia and Qatar? You talk about “alleged” links (nothing you can prove). I posted a picture of him standing next to wealthy Qataris. All of which are Muslim.
You’re a liar.
GC1985
BTW, stop talking about “alleged” claims. None of them have actual proof.
I just posted several links from various sources from around the world, including a picture of him standing with very wealthy Qataris.
What say you, Trump supporters? Why does your man have active ties with these countries and actually has increased his number of contracts in several projects in these countries in the past year?
If I could find this in three minutes on google, imagine what Hillary’s c@mpagin will do. That picture of him standing with his Qatari contacts will be nice in a television ad.
Brian
My dear Hillary,
I am devoted to you as a gay man. My next book is going to be called “Her Name Is Hillary”. I will re-count your struggles as a poor white woman who suffered terribly and was the victim of spousal unfaithfulness. How you pulled through, I don’t know.
Your resilience has put the steel into my gay spine, Hillary.
GC1985
*yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn*
Ouch I yawned so hard my jaw hurts now… yawning at the BS.
I just destroyed Trump in three minutes with google lol.
No wonder he’s dropping so fast in the polls. If I could do this, Hillary certainly can.
darren michaels
@Brian: What do you think arguing ISIS or a religion does.? Anderson was making a point of what was an immediate priority what affected the ones who matter the most in the here and now. Standing in front of a mosque arguing does nothing to benefit the people who are grieving, the ones who need answers and some understanding to what is affecting them the most now.
There needs to be less suggestion that the whole of the Muslim faith is responsible for all that occurs in the USA..which is like suggesting all Germans are responsible for the
genocide known as the Shoah, The Holocaust. Every faith has their extreme idiots that take their own selfish choices as far as they can and then blame their actions on their religion.
Alistair Wiseman
Perhaps if Anderson Cooper went to a mosque and was drilling some Muslim clergy, I might have a little more respect for him.
That would be journalism, but it would never happen from the Anderson or any of the other liberal mainstream media.
GC1985
Ignore Alistain. He’s a selective thinker.
Here is a real speech for the ages. One that still holds relevance… and destroys the entire argument of Trump:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhANTymDIYk
Hussain-TheCanadian
@Brian: Do you know of a homophobic Imam we can send Anderson to? I don’t want you giving him the wrong directions; we don’t want the man ending up at your ex-wife’s house.
gayhope1990
The buffoon is GC1985.As soon as he open his fucking leftist mouth he’s talking rubbish.No wonder he’s leftist.We can’t be clever and gay and to vote for the lefties agenda.
Hussain-TheCanadian
@gayhope1990: Two points: what is the “leftist agenda ” exactly? Also why are you stalking Gian on this thread? You need to stop picking fights and be constructive; our community is going through a tragic time and we need to unite.
Alistair Wiseman
@gayhope1990:
You shouldn’t speak ill of the mentally unbalanced. Seriously, there really is something wrong with him.
I’m convinced Queerty allows it because he parrots their their pathetic, liberal bullshit.
Brian
Go and question the imams at Orlando’s mosques, Anderson. Or don’t you have the balls for it?
Invert
@Brian: except the iman isn’t appearing on tv saying they’re a champion of gay rights.
gayhope1990
@Alistair Wiseman:He’s the nutcase I know it.He kept assaulting anybody just for fun.
@Hussain-TheCanadian:The leftist agenda is the destruction of the West and its values for a few votes.The leftists hate anyone who is not agree with their evil points of view.
o.codone
GIANCARLO, GET THE FUCK OFF OF QUEERTY, NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY.
GC1985
@Hussain-TheCanadian: I am absolutely done with the clown boy. The left wing “agenda” is the only reason he has any freedom at all.
I have posted evidence and all these trolls can do is post insults. One has even resorted in all caps telling me to get off the site. He doesn’t own this site nor do any of these pigeons.
These trolls have now lost. They failed to respond to the evidence I have posted and now resorted to pure insults. I urge people to report them to Queerty.
GC1985
And mentally imbalanced… Yeah. If you are conservative and gay… there is something wrong with you. I wouldn’t to be around you. One could never know if you resort to violence. Right wing politics will collapse this country.
As I said… Bring some evidence or STFU!
Brian
I would love to see Anderson Cooper interview an imam and criticize him. Pigs might fly too.
Billy Budd
I just can’t understand how a person can be gay and conservative. Actually, how a person can belong to any minority and be conservative. It is puzzling. It is madness.
GC1985
@Billy Budd: It drives people to sheer madness. They espouse opinions that are not just destructive to themselves but to the entire nation.
The right wing trolls needs to leave from this website. Go to a right wing rag where they accept the lies. Newsmax maybe?
The conservative and right wing trolls have walked all over the memories and honor or the victims. It is that reason alone they should be banned.
I have posted evidence. Oh and as far as Pam Biondi… she could be under federal investigation for accepting bribes from the Trump c@mpaign. That is a scandal that could totally collapse Trump.
GC1985
@GC1985: *of the victims
gayhope1990
Shut up stupid leftist you’re a fucking jerk.I’m conservative and proud because I hate lefties commies or nutcase like you awful freak.
Hussain-TheCanadian
@GC1985: Gian don’t even bother with Brain we know he’s on planet Arkham asylum sharing a bunk bed with the Joker. As for “gayhope” he’s trolling you, he’s getting a kick out of your anger, don’t even give him the satisfaction.
GC1985
@Hussain-TheCanadian: Gay hope… More like hopeless. Such a stain on the memories of victims. I’m not responding to hapless… I mean hopeless anymore.
Such disrespect these trolls have for the fallen. Robert Kennedy once warned us against the menace of violence… Seems as if some are unwilling to learn from history.
kdavid
As a gay man here in the UK I can only say how strange it is to us that people like Pat Robertson and others can publicly say that more gays should have been killed. If that happened here those people would at the very least be interviewed by the police for incitement to commit a hate crime. As for the person on here called ‘Brian’ – I say this, you should not claim things to be true unless you can prove they are true. The British LGBT community stand firmly alongside the American LGBT community and in our support for Hilary Clinton. Any gay person who votes for the buffoon Trump needs professional help.
PoetDaddy
Pam Bondi is one of the most despicable people in politics. She represents only herself and her only goal is to cash in on her office, including taking bribes from Donald Trump to pervert the course of justice. She is pure evil.
GayEGO
@Brian: Really Brian, Pam Bondi is the buffoon, thinking she can hoodwink us into thinking she is pro-gay.
GayEGO
@kdavid: Well said. It takes a little longer to educate our population so they support us. My lifetime partner of 54 years, married 12 years, are both retired and living the American dream which everyone should be able to do. I say “Dump the Trump!” I am anxiously waiting to be able to address our next president – Madam President”.
DCguy
To those of you a while ago screaming “What difference does it make if Cooper comes out?!”
Well, this is what difference it made.
Alistair Wiseman
@Billy Budd:
Then educate yourself.
Alistair Wiseman
@DCguy:
Please! What he did was not determinant on his sexual orientation.
If he wanted to be a true journalist in inwhich his sexual orientation was a factor, why isn’t he using the same interview style to drill the Imam at Omar Mateen’s mosque?
A gay man interviewing the Iman of a man who just slaughtered 49 human souls would be journalism and something newsworthy.
Liberal Anderson and his ilk would ever engage such true and justified journalism.
He BGB
I’d like to shake Anderson Coopers hand. She didn’t expect this and thought she’d look like a hero. Ha ha. It’s a wonder she didn’t run away. Sometimes I wonder if the anti LGBT people really believe what they say or are just stupid.
GC1985
Is Alistain still yapping on about miniscule issues and not the bigger picture? How about the prevalent corruption in the Flordia attorney generals office? The acceptiny of bribes for example? So yea keep going on about a reporters sexual oroentation. Conservatives thrive on avoided actual issues.
bluberybandit
A tit-mouse has higher cognitive functions than Pam Bondi. As if Florida doesn’t get enough bad press without her opening her big mouth and making herself look like the “yutz-of-the-year”. Idiot stick…