The video was posted by author and influencer Sulhee Jessica Woo on Instagram and featured Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Lauren Underwood, Katherine Clark, Judy Chu, Jasmine Crockett, and Susie Lee along with some facts about them. When the topic came up on CNN, Phillip said that the video was "cringey."
When another panelist said that it can't be "that bad" in response to the video, Phillip said, "But it is! I mean nobody asked for that in particular."
"I also just think it's like, you start with all the chaos of the different responses at the joint address, and then you have this like super sober Alisa Slotkin response, and then a couple of days of just all this random social media antics."
CNN panelist and Substack writer Toure, who recently suggested that Trump is not in charge of the military, said that the Democrats "clearly have no idea what to do." And continued to say that the Democrats have been ill-prepared in their message against Trump since he won the election.
In another segment covering the "fighter" video, Phillip asked Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) why the video from the Democratic lawmakers was necessary when there is “serious stuff happening in this country."
“Congresswoman, that TikTok trend, I don‘t even know where to begin. I‘m not sure why this is necessary. I mean, there is, like, serious stuff happening in this country, but that seems to be just inviting ridicule,” Phillip added on Thursday.
The lawmakers attempted to defend the video, saying, “So, when you think about TikTok as a trend, we are trying to reach out to different people and different voters. And the woman who produced this is an influencer with seven million followers. So, this is lighthearted, it’s fun. And every time you do something creative, you’re going to get criticism, right? But I actually applaud them for trying to do something different. And here’s the reality, seven million followers. Whether you think it’s cringe or you like it, we’re on CNN on a Thursday night and we’re talking about it on national TV.”
The lawmakers have been ripped up and down online over the video.
