Whitney Cummings’ CNN roast of failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden has gone viral.
The comedian made an appearance on CNN New Year’s Eve Live special alongside Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen and her fiery jokes targeted toward the network, and Democrats have quickly taken off online.
Newsweek has reached out to representatives for CNN and Cummings, outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The roast is significant because CNN is one of a number of mainstream media outlets which have been accused of partisan bias toward the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over the years.
Craig T Fruchtman/WireImage
A 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center found that about three-quarters of U.S. adults believe news organizations tend to favor one side when presenting news on political and social issues, while only 22 percent think the media deals fairly with all sides.
What To Know
During the special, Cummings says “The Democrats couldn’t hold a primary … they were too busy holding a body upright.” This comment is a reference to Biden, and criticisms over his age and performance during the 2024 presidential election race.
😂ANDERSON COOPER IN SHAMBLES: “The democrats couldn’t hold a primary…they were too busy holding a body upright.”
“The pro-choice party didn’t give their voters one.”
“Kamala was forced on us so hard you’d think she was patented by Pfizer.”pic.twitter.com/tbfGvz9CRV
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 1, 2025
It’s hard to see Cooper’s reaction from under his umbrella but co-host Cohen has a “mock shocked” face, before Cummings asks, “are we still rolling, am I off?” Cohen, managing a thin smile, responds: “Go for it.”
“It was amazing that the pro-choice party didn’t give their voters one when it came to the presidential candidate,” Cummings said.
She then added, “Kamala wasforced on us so hard you’d think she was patented by Pfizer.”
CNN
The clip has quickly got viral, with conservative commentators, MAGA members and media personalities sharing the footage on X, appearing to savor the opportunity to critique a network which is widely considered to lean Democrat.
Collin Rugg, a conservative commentator who is prominent on X shared the footage, as did Nick Sotor. Derick Evans, who describes himself in his X bio as a “Former Jan 6th Political Prisoner,” wrote: “I have no idea who this Whitney Cummings lady is, but she just ROASTED CNN.”
NEW: Anderson Cooper stands completely speechless after Whitney Cummings says Dems couldn’t hold a primary because they were too busy holding up a dead body.
“It was amazing that the Pro-Choice Party didn’t give their voters one…”pic.twitter.com/EtxIcMKRXZ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 1, 2025
Tara Bull, a prominent figure on X who describes herself as a “truth slayer,” and states “Let’s end the establishment media,” in her bio, praised Cummings, writing “protect this woman at all costs.”
What People Are Saying
Sharing the viral moment on X, formerly Twitter, Cummings wrote “I mean please list the lies I told?”
Cooper has not responded publicly to the viral moment.
What’s Next
CNN New Year’s Eve Live special is an annual event, so there may well be another moment like this next year.
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