CNN host Kate Bolduan got the better of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) when he tried to suggest she wasn’t smart enough to fully understand a piece of legislation he voted against.
The interview began cordially, with Bolduan asking about the upcoming Iowa caucus, but turned ugly when the host asked about a House resolution, Mediaite reports.
After discussing the spending bill that may or may not threaten a government shutdown (again), Bolduan turned to the campaign trail. Massie is a surrogate for presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), and while he was not named during CNN’s debate on Wednesday, he was called out by former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) as “the most anti-Israel Republican” who “voted against Israel’s right to exist in Congress.”
Haley was referring to House Resolution 888, entitled “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s right to exist,” which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support with 21 not voting, one member voting present, and one sole vote against: Massie’s. It’s a quick read, and plainly states what Bolduan presented to Massie, that the resolution “reaffirms the state of Israel’s right to exist, recognizes that denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of anti-Semitism.”
Bolduan read some of the resolution, which led to Massie interrupting her and interjecting, “That’s the name of resolution, congratulations.”
The host noted that she wasn’t reading the name of the resolution. Massie grinned as he again told the host, “Congratulations, you’re able to read the name of the resolution.”
Tilting her head and glaring at the congressman, Bolduan remarked, “Congressman, I don’t think you’re trying to question my intelligence now, are you?”
“No, I’m saying you don’t have time to prepare for this,” he replied.
When Bolduan informed the congressman that she had specifically highlighted the document before she interview, the Kentucky Republican snarked:
“Good for you, you took two minutes. There have been 19 resolutions. I know what’s in all of them. I studied them and I say right on social media, if you had done a little more research, you wouldn’t have to ask me if I acknowledged Israel’s right to exist. It’s right there on my social media.”
“I can read your social media. I also think given what is stated in this resolution, it is worthy of re-asking,” Bolduan told Massie.
Sarcasm dripping from his voice, Massie grinned and said, “I enjoy this dialogue. I hope I get to come back on and talk about what’s in these bills again.”
Bolduan, however, got the last shot in.
“I’m happy to have you on any time to discuss, and will continue to do my research and do not appreciate when someone even suggests or insinuates that I’m not prepared.”