CNN’s quickly becoming a failing network. This latest incident is an example of why that is.
And this CNN host went on a profanity laced rant during a meltdown on live TV.
Anderson Cooper Clashes with Chris Sununu Over Elon Musk and Transparency
Tuesday night’s CNN segment turned unexpectedly heated when host Anderson Cooper and former New Hampshire GOP Governor Chris Sununu clashed over transparency concerns regarding Elon Musk and DOGE. The tension reached its peak when Cooper, visibly frustrated, called Sununu a “d*ck” on live television.
The exchange began with Cooper repeatedly challenging the transparency of Musk and DOGE’s actions. “It amounts to a series of press releases, which is not really the same as transparency … It’s not transparency, either. It’s a tweet. After reporters began doing profiles on some of those staffers,” Cooper argued.
Sununu quickly fired back, accusing CNN of selective coverage. “I know what you’re not showing here,” he said. “Musk gave seven specific examples off the top of his head of where the corruption and fraud were. I know you didn’t you didn’t play the clips. He was talking about a contractor that had a three-month contract, he was paid for 20 years. He was talking about welfare benefits that were being paid to someone that was technically 150 years old. He was talking about line items in the Treasury that had no justification.”
Cooper remained skeptical. “But we didn’t see any of that, there’s no any — like he doesn’t present any actual evidence,” he countered.
Sununu was not backing down. “He’s standing there in the Oval Office. Do you expect him to come in with 10,000 pages?” he retorted. “And I have to be clear: To complain about this administration about transparency when this president takes open questions on a daily basis, yet Joe Biden didn’t show up for a press conference — six months is insane.”
He went on to defend Musk and DOGE. “These guys are being extremely transparent. They don’t have to sit there and take the questions, but they do. It’s all on the website. It’s all out there,” he insisted.
At this point, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin, known for his controversial past, weighed in. “It’s not transparency to say things that have no factual background. I mean to say we’re cutting — you know, we’ve found $1 billion or $1 trillion in waste with no specifics. That’s just talk, that’s not transparency.”
Sununu pushed back again. “It is 23 days in here, guys, 23 days,” he emphasized. “You’re talking about $2.3 billion that was saved last year. These guys are saving $2.3 billion a day. That’s incredible.”
Toobin, still unconvinced, demanded, “That’s what they’re saying. But where’s the proof?” Sununu, in a mix of exasperation and disbelief, replied, “You’re waiting — you’re not going to be satisfied until he shows up with 10,000 pages?”
Cooper, doubling down, stated, “He’s giving very specific things, but he’s not actually giving any evidence of that.” Sununu maintained that more details would emerge. “It’s all going to come because what they also said was, if we have to go to Congress, we will go to Congress.”
The debate escalated further when Cooper pressed about certain expenditures. “But where are some of the details that have come out like the, you know, $59 million spent on luxury hotels. It’s actually not –” Sununu interrupted, calling attention to FEMA allocations. “You’re talking about the FEMA money that was used for migrants? That was FEMA money for migrants. That’s okay now?”
Cooper, appearing flustered, denied endorsing such spending. “No, I’m not saying it’s okay. I’m not saying it’s okay. Don’t put words in my mouth,” he shot back. The tension peaked when Sununu pressed further. “So, would you stop that? Would you stop that process?” Seemingly fed up, Cooper snapped, “Don’t be a d*ck.”
As the segment wrapped, Cooper offered an on-air apology. “Before we go, I want to apologize. I was mean; I was rude to you.”
The heated exchange between Cooper and Sununu showcased a growing divide in media narratives regarding DOGE. While Sununu stood firmly behind Musk and DOGE’s claims of transparency, Cooper and Toobin remained unconvinced, demanding more tangible evidence.
You can watch the exchange below, but be warned that there is some inappropriate language towards the end:
Former NH Governor Chris Sununu just completely destroyed Anderson Cooper in a back and forth about Elon Musk and DOGE.
Cooper responded by angrily telling Sununu to not be a "d*ck" on live tv.
Children are watching CNN right now and the face of their network just lost it. WOW. pic.twitter.com/KtpBNmRhbr
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) February 12, 2025
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