The Atlantic's Peter Beinart ripped Donald Trump on Thursday's AC360 on CNN over his repeated use of the phrase "radical Islam" to attack Hillary Clinton. When Trump supporter Kayleigh McEnany defended the billionaire for this criticism, Beinart retored, "If you're talking about ISIS, we know what that is. If you're talking about radical Islam, I don't think, with all due respect, you have any idea what that is....the Saudi government...is a regime that is based on sharia; the regime in Pakistan has elements...the point is, it's a completely ill-defined term; and that's what makes it dangerous." [video below]
Substitute host John Berman turned to Beinart, McEnany, and CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger for their take on Trump and Clinton's reactions to the disappearance of EgyptAir Flight 804. Borger first emphasized that "disasters are the prism through which leaders are tested; and generally, speculating without information is a bad practice — particularly, if you are...one of two people who might be president of the United States." She added that Hillary Clinton's "experience points her to more of a silent route. So, I think, in the world at large, what Trump did is not a good thing; but...politically, it shows that he is strong; that he is anti-terror; that he is willing to tell the truth; and, for his supporters, it's not going to hurt."
McEnany followed Trump's example in blasting Mrs. Clinton: "We saw Hillary Clinton basically come out and say that Donald Trump's rhetoric, his policies are actually used for — as recruitment tools for terrorism. That, to me, is the most irresponsible thing that has been said today." Beinart then launched his first blast at the former first lady's would-be opponent:
PETER BEINART, CONTRIBUTOR, THE ATLANTIC: It's interesting, because you know who said almost exactly those same words about Donald Trump's proposed temporary Muslim ban — was David Petraeus. David Petraeus said that this plays directly into the hands of al Qaeda and ISIS — not because we're concerned about the feelings of those people, but because it leads Muslims, more genuinely, to be more susceptible to their hateful propaganda which claims that United States is hostile to Muslims....I'm sure you wouldn't claim that he doesn't know something about terrorism.
Berman spurred the discussion of radical Islam by playing a clip of Trump using the term to attack Clinton's response to the suspected terrorist attack on the EgyptAir flight. He wondered, "When Donald Trump...says 'a hundred percent, it was blown out of the sky,' is this the type of language — and I know his supporters love the fact that he uses blunt language...but is this type of language that he's going to have to adjust and temper as he gets closer to the White House?"
McEnany and Beinart then respectively defended and attacked the billionaire candidate's remarks. Borger also replied, "What would have been so bad about saying that — that all signs point to this, rather than saying, a hundred percent, a bomb blew up that plane? Listen, we don't know; and when you're president of the United States — or one of the top two — it can be catastrophic if you make that kind of a mistake."
The full transcript of the panel discussion, which aired on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 on May 19, 2016:
JOHN BERMAN: One tragedy, two very different responses from the front-runners for president. Donald Trump Tweeted about this crash early this morning. Before any official said it was likely a terrorist attack, he wrote — quote, 'Looks like yet another terrorist attack. Airplane departed from Paris. When will we get tough, smart and vigilant. Great hate and sickness!' Then, later today, Chris Cuomo asked Hillary Clinton for her thoughts, after Egyptian authorities said they believed that terrorism, rather than a technical failure, is what brought down that flight. Here's what she said.
HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It does appear that it was an act of terrorism — exactly how, of course, the investigation will have to determine. But it — once again, it shines a very bright light on the threats that we face from organized terror groups — ISIS of course. But then, there are other networks of terrorists that have to be hunted down and defeated. And I think it reinforces the need for American leadership — for the kind of smart, steady leadership that only America can provide — and working with our allies; our partners; our friends in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere — because we have to have a concerted effort that brings to bear both domestic resources; sharing of intelligence; take a hard look at airport security one more time. Whatever needs to be done must be done.
BERMAN: So Trump's campaign posted a press release after that interview. It reads, in part — quote, 'Look at the carnage all over the world, including the World Trade Center, San Bernardino, Paris, the USS Cole, Brussels, and an unlimited number of other places. She and our totally ignorant president won't use the term radical Islamic terrorism. And, by the way, ask Hillary Clinton who blew up the plane last night — another terrible, but preventable tragedy. She has bad judgment, and is unfit to serve as president at this delicate and time in our country's history.'
Joining me now: CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger; and CNN political commentator, Trump supporter Kayleigh McEnany; and from The Atlantic, contributor Peter Beinart. Gloria — you know, two contrasts — you know, very different response from two candidates, to say the least.
GLORIA BORGER: Right, and — you know, earlier in the day, Hillary Clinton had said that — to Chris Cuomo, that Donald Trump was not qualified. So then, part of the reason he said she was unfit, was he was, kind of, taking a shot back at her.
But look, disasters are the prism through which leaders are tested; and generally, speculating without information is a bad practice — particularly, if you are president of the United States, or if you are one of two people who might be president of the United States. And I think, however — you know, Hillary Clinton, as we see, her experience points her to more of a silent route. So, I think, in the world at large, what Trump did is not a good thing; but politically for him — politically, it shows that he is strong; that he is anti-terror; that he is willing to tell the truth; and, for his supporters, it's not going to hurt.
BERMAN: Kayleigh?
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Yeah. We did see two very different responses today; and, for me, Donald Trump's response emanated strength. And in that interview with Chris Cuomo, we saw Hillary Clinton basically come out and say that Donald Trump's rhetoric, his policies are actually used for — as recruitment tools for terrorism. That, to me, is the most irresponsible thing that has been said today. It is victim blaming.
Let's step back and see what she's saying. She's basically saying Donald Trump's policies, his words are hateful, spiteful — whatever you'd like to label them — and they offend terrorists; and they shouldn't be spoken because they offend terrorists. When you are essentially imparting legitimacy to terrorist motives — saying, they have a right to be offended; maybe, not act the way they do, but be offended by the words Donald Trump is saying — that, to me, is incredibly irresponsible. It's victim blaming. We saw a show of strength on one hand; we saw a show of essentially imparting legitimacy to a motive on the other hand. I thought it was irresponsible.
BERMAN: Peter?
PETER BEINART, CONTRIBUTOR, THE ATLANTIC: It's interesting, because you know who said almost exactly those same words about Donald Trump's proposed temporary Muslim ban — was David Petraeus. David Petraeus said that this plays directly into the hands of al Qaeda and ISIS — not because we're concerned about the feelings of those people, but because it leads Muslims, more genuinely, to be more susceptible to their hateful propaganda which claims that United States is hostile to Muslims. When the United States says, we're not going to allow any Muslims in, that makes it pretty easy for people like ISIS and al Qaeda to go and say, you know what? America is hostile and at war with Muslims. That's what David Petraeus was saying. I'm sure you wouldn't claim—
BERMAN: Hang on one second—
BEINART: That he doesn't know something about terrorism.
BERMAN: Hang on one second, because I want pull a little bit more of what Donald Trump said — because I want to ask something specifically about that. So let's listen.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So today we had a terrible tragedy. And she came up and she said that Donald Trump talked about radical Islamic terrorism — which she doesn't want to use. She used a different term, because she doesn't want to use that term. She refuses to use that term. And I'm saying to myself — and it's a terrible thing — and he essentially shouldn't be running for office. He doesn't have the right to run for office. And I'm saying to myself, what just happened about 12 hours ago? A plane got blown out of the sky; and, if anything, if anybody thinks it wasn't blown out of the sky, you're 100 percent wrong, folks.
BERMAN: Kayleigh, I just want to focus on that last part there, because it's interesting. He said if anyone thinks it wasn't blown out of the sky, you're 100 percent wrong. We don't know. I mean, all of our best reporting right now — the U.S. government, intelligence officials all over the world say, likely. It was likely an act of terror, but we just don't know.
Now, when Donald Trump, who is running for president, says 'a hundred percent, it was blown out of the sky,' is this the type of language — and I know his supporters love the fact that he uses blunt language and is decisive — but is this type of language that he's going to have to adjust and temper as he gets closer to the White House?
[CNN Graphic: "Trump Slams Clinton On Downed Plane"]
MCENANY: I don't think so, because you're right: we don't know officially, yes, but — every sign points in that direction. He's been prescient on many of these issues — be it pointing to Osama bin Laden as being a dangerous person before anyone else did; being against the Iraq War before Hillary Clinton was against the Iraq war. I think, likely, he will — he will be right on this; and he is exactly right to say what he said about radical Islam. Hillary Clinton will not use that term. That's what it is. We can put our head in the sand and act like that's not what's happening around the world, but it's happening. And they hate the West; they hate moderate Muslims; they hate Christians; they hate Jews—
BERMAN: Who's they?
BEINART: Who's they?
MCENANY: ISIS, radical Islamic terrorists — they hate humanity — and to act like they don't exist and there's not radical Islamic terrorism — saying those words is important, because there is a motive; there is an interpretation of the Koran that is out there that is killing people.
BEINART: Sure. The problem is — if you're talking about ISIS, we know what that is. If you're talking about radical Islam, I don't think, with all due respect, you have any idea what that is. Is the Saudi government a radical Islam (sic)? Yes—
MCENANY: Oh, I know exactly what it is—
BEINART: Yes, the Saudi government could — by — is a regime that is based on sharia; the regime in Pakistan has elements of — the point is, it's a completely ill-defined term; and that's what makes it dangerous.
BERMAN: Go ahead, Gloria—
BORGER: But your question is about the language—
BERMAN: Right—
BORGER: Okay? And what you said is that signs likely point to terrorism. What would have been so bad about saying that — that all signs point to this, rather than saying, a hundred percent, a bomb blew up that plane? Listen, we don't know; and when you're president of the United States — or one of the top two — it can be catastrophic if you make that kind of a mistake.
BERMAN: And Gloria, just last thought here: I think this is an argument and discussion where both sides — both Clinton supporters and Trump supporters — like what the candidates did today—
MCENANY: Absolutely—
BERMAN: They like where they are on this.
BORGER: They do. And, you know, listen: Hillary Clinton was tough on Donald Trump today in her — in her interview with Chris Cuomo — calling him offensive, dangerous, a loose cannon, unmoored, and on and on. And Donald Trump gave it right back to her. And this is the race. What we saw today, in discussing this whole airplane crash — it encapsulates the kind of race we're going to see, and the differences between these two candidates.
