Conservative pundit Scott Jennings acted as a human shield for Elon Musk as a CNN panel discussed the billionaire’s potential governmental conflicts of interest during a fiery NewsNight segment.
The token Republican on the otherwise liberal panel staunchly defended the DOGE chief with a wonderful array of eye-rolls and disgruntled facial expressions as the panel aired allegations that the SpaceX and Tesla boss stands to gain from his involvement in government, which—on paper—is unofficial.
Jennings seemed perturbed by the suggestion from fellow panelists and host Abby Phillip that Musk might indirectly benefit from his closeness to government and President Donald Trump. He was even more perturbed when panelist Xochitl Hinojosa suggested that a good way to cut federal spending might be to axe the $15 billion in funding Musk has received.
The former DNC spokesperson was referring to the fact that several of Musk’s companies have been propped up by taxpayer money. The Independent reported last week that that his companies have been promised or awarded almost $21 billion by the U.S. government since 2008.
“I have an idea for them,” Hinojosa said, referencing Tesla and SpaceX agreements specifically. “Why don’t they cut the $15 billion that Musk has received in federal funding?”
Jennings tried to change the conversation to how Musk is apparently “saving our astronauts and giving internet to Ukraine,” before Hinojosa said that she was speaking about how “the richest person in the world” is in the federal government “making decisions” about grants and funding that could benefit him.
Hinojosa said Jennings is OK with cuts, as long as they’re not against Musk. Then things got heated. “A, I think you’re full of it. B, he provides all sorts of services...”
Hinojosa, who also served as public affairs director at the Justice Department under the Biden administration, looked shocked by his comment and snapped back: “No, I’m not full of it!”
That forced the host to step in and remind Jennings Musk is receiving an FAA grant for his Starlink satellites, which he conceded. “He is receiving a grant right now through agencies which he has his hands in through DOGE,” Phillip said.
“Are you all saying the government should not be able to contract for private services? Just not the people you don’t like?” he asked. Phillip called that an “obvious” conflict of interest.
Jennings than began to bark that both Phillip and Hinojosa were “alleging” that Musk was in “a government office personally writing grants to himself.”
“I think that is a major allegation, if you’re prepared to make it go ahead!” he said. Phillip said his “wild...threat” was not warranted, reminding him that “ethics laws exist in this country, they have for a long time.”
As Jennings does, he stuck to his guns and again repeated that Hinojosa and Phillip were alleging that Musk is “overseeing the FAA.”
The pair had at no point said that, but Jennings was able to claim a win as he ground the host down and she moved onto the next segment.
