On Thursday's CNN Right Now host Brianna Keilar illustrated why the news media has the lowest approval rating of various institutions on the coronavirus. On Wednesday, CNN host Wolf Blitzer interviewed Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrat leader was given deferential inquiries like "What do you think?" and "How do you respond to that?"
But Keilar's interview with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro on Thursday was a contentious battle, full of constant interruptions, as Keilar ripped the Trump team's performance and then accused Navarro of wasting everybody's time whenever he tried to defend the administration's record.
The testiness began as Navarro condemned the Chinese government for their initial cover-up, saying that cost the world valuable time, but that nevertheless, the federal government and the private sector are prepared to meet the challenge.
Before Navarro could complete that thought, Keilar interrupted him.
"But Peter, in fairness the government was clearly ill prepared for this." Talking over her guest, she reiterated, "The government was clearly ill prepared for this. This is not something that, you know, these viruses happen and how awful they are, but they’re things that happen. Your government knew in the summer when they did a drill if this happens, this would be a problem and there was a lack of preparation, which was why we have you on to talk about the supply chain."
Navarro then requested Keilar give him an opportunity to respond, but Keilar accused Navarro and the administration of not doing enough to supply the country with a million ventilators and asked him what he was doing about the shortfall.
Navarro, still thinking about Keilar's original accusation, tried to give viewers a history lesson, but Keilar said it was "wasting his time" and at one point even denying she made the accusation:
NAVARRO: Let me bring you up on the history here of what we inherited. In '09 when the Biden, uh Obama Administration had the H1N1 flu crisis
KEILAR: Peter, why are you wasting your time on this—
NAVARRO: Hang on.
KEILAR:-- and not solving the problem that you have? Peter, why are you even talking about this?
NAVARRO: You made the claim—
KEILAR: I did not
NAVARRO: -- this administration was ill-prepared. I am trying -- run the tape
KEILAR: I mean, that’s a fact, Peter
NAVARRO: We just heard that. Run the tape. I just heard that, run the tape.
KEILAR: That’s a fact, Peter
NAVARRO: You just said that, now let me respond to that
After several more minutes of Keilar refusing to let Navarro talk, the segment ultimately drew to a close with Navarro explaining, "We all, as a country, got dealt a bad hand by China." Keilar once more declared, "Uh Peter, that is just a waste of time today to say that." She cut him off, saying "we're gonna leave it there." When Navarro asked why, Keilar added, "that's just ridiculous."
Here is a transcript of the March 26 show:
CNN
CNN Right Now
1:46
PETER NAVARRO: That has set the world back six weeks so we are dealing with this issue every day. We have a full force of the federal government. We have the full power --
BRIANNA KEILAR: But Peter, in fairness the government was clearly ill prepared for this.NAVARRO: -- the full force of private enterprise and I want to thank the American people for their cooperation
KEILAR: The government was clearly ill prepared for this. This is not something that, you know, these viruses happen and how awful they are, but they’re things that happen. Your government knew in the summer when they did a drill if this happens, this would be a problem and there was a lack of preparation which was why we have you onto talk about the supply chain--
NAVARRO: Sure Kate and may I comment on that?
KEILAR: Right now it looks like it the capacity for the U.S. is going to be about 200,000 ventilators and what experts are saying there could be a million needed. So, are you going to be able to meet that demand?
NAVARRO: So first of all --
KEILAR: And are you aware and is the president aware that relaxing the restrictive measures is going to mean you need more than that?
NAVARRO: Let me bring you up on the history here of what we inherited. In '09 when the Biden, uh Obama Administration had the H1N1 flu crisis
KEILAR: Peter, why are you wasting your time on this—NAVARRO: Hang on
KEILAR:-- and not solving the problem that you have? Peter, why are you even talking about this?
NAVARRO: You made the claim—KEILAR: I did not
NAVARRO: this administration was ill prepared. I am trying-- run the tape
KEILAR: I mean, that’s a fact, Peter
NAVARRO: We just heard that. Run the tape. I just heard that, run the tape.
KEILAR: That’s a fact, Peter
NAVARRO: You just said that, now let me respond to that
KEILAR: I’m asking you, I’m asking you—NAVARRO: Let me respond Brianna, Brianna, let me respond Brianna
KEILAR: -- are we able to get to a million ventilators.
NAVARRO: Brianna, I am trying to respond and you keep on interrupting me.KEILAR: My question, Peter is--
NAVARRO: Let's have this conversation.
KEILAR:-- are you going to be able to get to a million ventilators?
NAVARRO: You keep on talking in my ears and you won't let me talk. May I speak, please?
KEILAR: Will you answer the question? Can you get to a million ventilators
…
NAVARRO: We all, as a country, got dealt a bad hand by China.
KEILAR: Uh Peter, that is just a waste of time today to say that. I'm going to leave it there, Peter Navarro.NAVARRO: Now hang on,
KEILAR: Trying to get our hands around.
NAVARRO: Why is that a waste of time to say that?
KEILAR: We're out of time and that's just ridiculous.
NAVARRO: Okay good to talk, I’ll come back any time
KEILAR: Peter Navarro, thank you so much
