Additional Coverage:
- CNN viewers call for Scott Jennings to be axed as he compares hijab to Handmaid’s Tale (irishstar.com)
CNN Analyst Sparks Outrage After Comparing Hijab to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
A recent segment on CNN’s Newsnight has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with viewers demanding the removal of political commentator Scott Jennings. The uproar stems from Jennings’s comparison of a hijab to “The Handmaid’s Tale” during a discussion about Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.
The controversial remark came after Lt. Gov.
Flanagan, a Catholic politician, wore a hijab while visiting the Karmel Somali Market in Minneapolis on Friday. This gesture was widely interpreted as a public rebuke of Donald Trump’s recent comments referring to Somali migrants as “garbage.”
During the live broadcast, Jennings stated, “They got the Lieutenant Governor up there dressed like the handmaid’s tale.” Co-host Abby Phillip immediately challenged the comparison, asserting that it was inappropriate when referring to religious attire.
“Why on Earth is it acceptable to make a statement like that-You’re describing the type of dress as the handmaid’s tale, and you’re doing that to denigrate the religion,” Phillip pressed. The on-air clash quickly spilled over to social media, where viewers expressed their outrage and called for Jennings’s suspension or termination from the network.
Online reactions were swift and severe. One viewer wrote, “I’m sorry.
This is too much. He should be suspended.
Abby is right. If someone denigrated Orthodox Jews (or any other group that may be wearing religious garb), there would be a five-alarm fire.
This is some sick s—!” Another commented, “He would be the first one crying if someone said that about Christians.
Why is this clown still on TV?”
Lt. Gov.
Flanagan’s visit to the Minneapolis market was a clear demonstration of solidarity with the Somali community. She began her address with the greeting “Salam alaikum” and spoke passionately in support of local residents.
“I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,” Flanagan declared, standing alongside Somali community leaders. She emphasized her long-standing connections to the community, stating, “Growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota.”
Flanagan encouraged the community, saying, “So, I wanted to encourage the community to just know that we’re with you, we’ve got your back,” and urged Minnesotans to support Somali-owned businesses during what she described as a challenging time.
As the highest-ranking Native American woman elected to public office in the United States, Lt. Gov.
Flanagan is considered a strong contender for Minnesota’s upcoming U.S. Senate race.
Her visit and public support for the Somali community were particularly resonant following Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks in the wake of a large-scale fraud case in the state.
Flanagan’s appearance also sparked some comparisons to previous demonstrations, such as Democratic politicians like Nancy Pelosi wearing African scarves in support of Black Lives Matter in 2020. During her remarks, she reassured community members, “I know that things are scary right now, and just know there are more people who are looking out for you, and there are more people who are here to support you. I will continue to stand with the Somali community and to do all I can to return the friendship that the Somali community has shown me.”
Currently, Lt. Gov.
Flanagan serves as deputy to Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, who was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 election. The controversy surrounding Jennings’s comments continues to generate debate and highlights the sensitivities surrounding religious attire and public discourse.