White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer found himself in some hot water with the sensational liberal media following his nationally televised throwdown with reporter April Ryan, during Tuesday’s press briefing. The turbulent exchange was noticed by failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who railed against Spicer in a speech she was giving in San Francisco, California. Clinton’s rant seemed to entertain Don Lemon who played the clip for his panel on CNN Tonight, with one joyfully declaring “Hillary Clinton is back!”
In her tirade Clinton tried to blame Spicer’s action on sexism and racism:
April Ryan, a respected journalist with unrivaled integrity, was doing her job just this afternoon in the White House press room when she was patronized and cut off trying to ask a question. One of your own California Congresswoman, Maxine Waters was taunted with a racist joke about her hair. Now, too many women, especially women of color, have had a lifetime of practice taking precisely these kinds of indignities in stride. But why should we have to? And any woman who thinks this couldn't be directed at her is living in a dream world.
“And we're back to the campaign, it seems like,” Lemon joked before begging Ryan to tell her side of the story, “But seriously those are very strong words. What did you think of the Secretary's comments?”
Ryan seemed honored by Clinton’s defense of her and comments directed at Spicer. “I was surprised. I arrived home and was with my daughters and someone said: ‘did you see Hillary Clinton,’” she explained, “And I was like ‘no.’ And I saw it and I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. But I did go on Twitter and said: ‘Preach!’”
Lemon went on to scold Spicer, saying:
Listen, yes he does work for the White House but ultimately he works for the American people and he sends -- the American people deserve the truth and as a reporter, you should be respected and as long as you respect him, he should respect you. And I thought that he was just really combative with you and it was not a fair -- it was not a good answer.
Seemingly over the whole situation, Ryan told Lemon that, “At end of the day, he's going to do his job and I'm going to do mine. I’m going to come back tomorrow and I'm going to keep coming back. I mean, I understand what Sean is dealing with, but I understand what I'm dealing with as well.” She also concluded that Spicer was just reflecting President Trump’s anger with the press.
Before the program cut to a commercial break, CNN’s chief political analyst, Gloria Borger joyfully declared “Hillary Clinton is back! Right? She's not walking in the woods anymore!” to the laughter of the rest of the panel. As a reminder, on inauguration day Borger whined that Trump “did not pay some tribute to Hillary Clinton” in his speech.
Transcript below:
CNN Tonight
March 28, 2017
10:24:22 PM EasternHILLARY CLINTON: April Ryan, a respected journalist with unrivalled integrity, was doing her job just this afternoon in the White House press room when she was patronized and cut off trying to ask a question. One of your own California congresswoman, Maxine Waters was taunted with a racist joke about her hair. Now, too many women, especially women of color, have had a lifetime of practice taking precisely these kinds of indignities in stride. But why should we have to? And any woman who thinks this couldn't be directed at her is living in a dream world.
[Cuts to live]
DON LEMON: And we're back to the campaign, it seems like.
[Laughter]
APRIL RYAN: No, it wasn't the campaign.
LEMON: But seriously those are very strong words. What did you think of the secretary's comments?
RYAN: I was surprised. I arrived home and was with my daughters and someone said: “did you see Hillary Clinton?” And I was like “no.” And I saw it and I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. But I did go on Twitter and said: “Preach!” So--
LEMON: Is it an audience of one, though? Listen, yes he [Sean Spicer] does work for the White House but ultimately he works for the American people and he sends -- the American people deserve the truth and as a reporter, you should be respected and as long as you respect him, he should respect you. And I thought that he was just really combative with you and it was not a fair -- it was not a good answer.
RYAN: Well Don, let me say this to you. That end of the day, he's going to do his job and I'm going to do mine. I’m going to come back tomorrow and I'm going to keep coming back. I mean, I understand what Sean is dealing with, but I understand what I'm dealing with as well.
But what I will say—And I’m going to go back to the comment about atmospherics. Part of the picture is the fact when Sean is like that or any press secretary is like that it's the reflection of the leader of the free world. So that is a reflection-- The way he came in the briefing room was a reflection of the President of the United States. So the President probably was angry about the Washington Post article and other things that are going on and it showed in Sean Spicer in his appearance that podium today.
LEMON: [Inaudible]
GLORIA BORGER: Can I just--
LEMON Yes, Gloria, I got to cut you off.
[crosstalk]
LEMON: Gloria you're coming back.
GLORIA BORGER: Hillary Clinton-- Hillary Clinton is back! Right? She's not walking in the woods anymore.
LEMON; No, no.
RYAN: Not all.
