CNN host visibly flustered as GOP representative jokes about preparing for his interview: 'It took two minutes'

CNN anchor Kate Bolduan was visibly upset with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) over his on-air comments that suggested she was not adequately prepared for her interview.

The Kentucky Republican appeared on Friday's edition of “CNN News Central” when Bolduan was asked about his criticism of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, the media darling with whom the establishment aligns as an alternative to former president Donald J. Trump.

After an increasingly contentious back-and-forth over Massie's vote against a resolution titled “Reaffirming the Right to Exist of the State of Israel,” the congresswoman drew blood questioning her preparedness.

.@RepThomasMassie with an absolute body slam from the CNN anchor:

“Congratulations, you can read the name of the resolution. I don't vote for names.” #sassywithmassiepic.twitter.com/Bl1bdZ8C2m

— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) January 12, 2024

“Recognize that denying Israel's right to exist is a form of anti-Semitism. Do not support…” Bolduan said, reading a piece of paper.

“This is the name of the resolution; congratulations, you can read the name of the resolution. I don't vote on the names,” Massie interrupted.

“Oh, Congressman, I don't think you're trying to question my intelligence now, are you?” Bolduan shot back.

The House lawmaker dismissed the host's suggestion that he thought it was silly, saying he just meant that he didn't have time to properly prepare for the interview.

“You mean the two pages I read in two minutes this morning and highlighted? The 'Be it resolved that the House of Representatives . . . ?'” Bolduan replied angrily, animatedly holding up the sheet of paper as a visual for to the spectators

“Yeah, it took two minutes,” Massie said with a laugh.

“Oh!” Bolduan said, seeming to be insulted by the congressman's joke.

“Good for you, you took a few minutes. There have been 19 resolutions. I know what's in all of them. I studied them,” Rep. Massie said. “I say well on social media, if you've done a little more research, you shouldn't be asking me if I recognize Israel's right to exist. It's right there on my social media.”

Acknowledging that she had indeed read Massie's social media, the perturbed host declared that the question was “worthy of being asked again.”

“I like this dialogue, I hope I can come back and talk about what's on these bills again,” Massie said with a big smile on his face.

After saying she'd be happy to have him back, Bolduan added that she doesn't appreciate it “when anyone even suggests or insinuates that I'm not ready.”

Responding that he was suggesting that she didn't have time to do the research she had done, Massie said, “You've done some research,” giving the nervous host one more nudge before the interview ended.

“I live across from Nikki Haley rent-free…and believe me, there's a lot of empty space in here!” Massie posted to X after the former South Carolina governor called him “the most anti-Israel Republican” during Wednesday night's CNN debate, a remark that led to the angry exchange with Bolduan .

I live in Nikki Haley's house rent free…and believe me, there is a lot of empty space in here!

— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) January 11, 2024

“Kate claims she spent a whopping two minutes reading a bill to prepare for this interview. If true, that's two more minutes than Nikki Haley has ever spent trying to understand this issue,” Massie posted to X, sharing the segment with Bolduan.

Kate claims she spent two minutes reading an invoice to prepare for this interview. If true, that's two more minutes than Nikki Haley has ever spent trying to understand this issue. pic.twitter.com/I6yFZKjnp9

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 12, 2024

“Nikki Haley is a brunette Liz Cheney,” Massie said in another X post from last month. “She hates free speech as much as she loves war and foreign aid.”

Staff writer

Chris Donaldson is an ordinary, ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who despise our hard-won freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.

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