Overview
- On CNN NewsNight, Abby Phillip challenged GOP strategist Shermichael Singleton after he said many people view being anti-diversity as equivalent to being racist.
- Phillip cited actions under President Donald Trump, including claims that the Department of Defense banned celebrations of Black History Month, as evidence of an explicitly anti-diversity posture.
- Singleton objected to casting the Republican Party as racist, calling broad-brush labels "B.S." and arguing criticism should not indict all GOP voters.
- Other panelists contended that most Republicans support the administration’s anti-DEI push, a point Singleton disputed during the segment.
- Mediaite published an extended transcript and noted recent White House friction over accusations of racism tied to comments about Jesse Jackson, while Raw Story framed Singleton’s reaction as a meltdown.