shut down

CNN anchor rips into homophobe on live TV

CNN host Jim Sciutto was not having any of conservative pundit Ben Ferguson’s homophobic nonsense when he appeared on his show this week.

While talking about Rush Limbaugh‘s recent remarks on Pete Buttigieg’s sexual orientation, Ferguson defended the right-wing radio host by implying Buttigieg’s “masculinity” was inferior to Donald Trump‘s.

“I don’t think it matters that he’s gay,” said Ferguson. “I think that the thing that you are talking about here is two different issues. One, is anyone going to look masculine next to Donald Trump on stage? I think the only Democrat would be Joe Biden.”

Say what?!

Ferguson continued: “Do I think it should matter on the issue of his sexuality? No. Does it matter that he is an openly gay man? There was a surprising number of Democratic voters that said that it was an issue for them.”

“There are Democrats sitting there worried that this is going to be a bigger issue.”

That’s when Sciutto stepped in.

“What’s more manly? Volunteering for military service as Pete Buttigieg did or avoiding it?” he asked. To which Ferguson didn’t have a good response. “I’m talking about appearance,” he said.

“What about the substance?” the CNN host pressed. “You said the president appears more manly for I-don’t-know-what reason. I’m citing an issue of the record here. Buttigieg volunteered for military service. The president took great pains to avoid it. I’m talking about the substance. Which is more manly?”

“If you asked 100 Democratic voters which candidate looked more masculine, Joe Biden or Mayor Pete…” Ferguson opined.

That’s when Sciutto’s co-host Poppy Harlow stepped in.

“Ben, I don’t understand in what world is the definition of the qualification for being president of the United States how manly someone appears?” she questioned.

“I did not say it was a qualification,” Ferguson responded. “When you put two different candidates on stage and there are people that make millions of dollars on both sides of the aisle that talk about what you wear for goodness sakes–men and women–what you say.”

“It seems to me you’re justifying bigotry,” Sciutto told Ferguson. “Here’s the thing: consultants might have said it’s a negative to be a person of color, you might have heard that. This is the year 2020. I’m just curious what you’re justifying here.”

Watch.

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