A tense exchange on CNN’s NewsNight erupted into laughter Tuesday, October 7, 2025, when host Abby Phillip delivered a swift fact-check to conservative commentator Scott Jennings during a discussion about President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. The moment quickly became a viral sensation as panelists, including philosopher Cornel West, burst into laughter at Jennings’ attempt to paint a rosy picture of the president’s standing with Americans.
The confrontation began when Phillip cited fresh polling data showing Democrats gaining ground ahead of next year’s midterm elections. She noted that the generic ballot, which had been essentially tied earlier in 2025, now showed Democrats with a clear advantage. According to the latest Gallup numbers, 48 percent of Americans now identify as Democrats compared to 41 percent who say they are Republicans—a reversal from last year’s election period when GOP identification briefly led.
Phillip then turned to Trump’s job approval numbers, beginning to mention that CNN data analyst Harry Enten had reported the president’s approval rating had increased. Before she could finish, Jennings jumped in eagerly to complete her sentence. Both said simultaneously that the rise amounted to just one point.
The host laughed at the minuscule increase before delivering the crushing blow to Jennings’ optimistic spin. Phillip immediately added, “Scott, he’s still deeply underwater. It’s 56 to 42,” referencing a Reuters poll released earlier that week. The numbers revealed that while Trump’s approval had ticked up marginally, a substantial majority of Americans still disapprove of his performance.
West continued chuckling as Jennings ignored the hilarity surrounding his remarks and attempted to pivot the conversation. The conservative commentator shifted focus to Trump’s stated willingness to negotiate with Democrats amid the ongoing government shutdown, which had partially closed federal operations since October 1 after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to extend funding past September 30.
Jennings argued that the president would be happy to meet with Democrats if they stopped holding the government hostage, expressing his belief that negotiations would lead to an agreement. He contended that the president did not want to negotiate under duress. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, leaving them seven votes short of the 60 needed to advance a funding bill.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have pushed to include an extension of COVID-era healthcare premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in any funding agreement. Republicans have refused the provision, citing spending concerns as their rationale for opposition.
The incident represents another chapter in the ongoing dynamic between Phillip and Jennings on the nightly program. The conservative pundit, a former staffer for President George W. Bush who has embraced the MAGA movement in recent years, frequently appears on the panel to represent perspectives that Phillip has acknowledged are widely shared among certain segments of the American population, even if many viewers find them unfounded.
Phillip has previously addressed criticism about Jennings’ regular presence on her show, defending the inclusion of diverse viewpoints while also noting her willingness to intervene when panelists appear more interested in creating viral moments than engaging in substantive debate. She has indicated that she steps in when she detects guests misrepresenting facts or playing to social media users rather than participating in meaningful discussion.
The exchange highlighted the broader challenges facing Trump’s administration as it navigates both declining public support and legislative gridlock. While Jennings attempted to frame the one-point approval increase as a positive trend, the underlying numbers paint a more complicated picture for the president. The 56 percent disapproval rating represents a significant barrier as Republicans look ahead to midterm elections that could reshape the balance of power in Congress.
Viewers took to social media following the broadcast to praise Phillip’s real-time fact-checking. The moment resonated with audiences frustrated by political spin and highlighted the importance of immediate correction when guests present misleading interpretations of data. The laughter from other panelists underscored how transparent Jennings’ attempt to reframe negative polling appeared to those familiar with the actual numbers.
The government shutdown context added another layer to the discussion, with both parties blaming each other for the impasse. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has joined Schumer in leading Democratic efforts during the shutdown, maintaining that Republicans must address healthcare provisions in any resolution to the funding crisis.
