Scott Jennings sparks CNN feud over Dems pandering to Somali community
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A CNN panel erupted Monday night after a conservative commentator called out Minnesota’s lieutenant governor for appearing to wear a hijab.
Minnesota Democratic Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan was seen wearing a hijab at a mall on a Somali TV station as a widespread fraud scandal involving some Somali citizens is plaguing the state.
“The Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,” Flanagan said, looking into the camera.
For Muslim women, wearing a hijab is often a sign of obedience to God and is worn to show modesty. Flanagan is a divorced and remarried Catholic who supports social liberal policies such as transgender identity and abortion rights for children. The contrast between wearing conservative Muslim garb and socially liberal policies became a controversial segment on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”
HOW FEAR OF BEING LABLED ‘RACIST’ HELPED ‘UNBRAIN’ THE FRAUD SCANDAL THAT EXPLODED IN MINNESOTA.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings sparked a debate on CNN when he questioned why socially liberal Democrats were complimenting the devout Muslim population. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“It’s a little odd that the Democrats are catering to the Somali community in Minnesota, isn’t it?” Jennings asked. “There’s a lieutenant governor there dressed like The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Jennings was referring to Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Dystopian novel about life under a totalitarian theocracy where a group of women are forced to give birth to children during a fertility crisis. Liberal protesters often wear the modest garb of red robes and cowl to warn that America is poised to descend into the same kind of dystopia.
“Why are they serving them?” Jennings asked. “That’s a very small portion of the population. Democrats put them at the center of everything.”
CNN anchor Abby Phillip objected to the comparison of headscarves and maid outfits.
Phillip said, “I don’t think it would be acceptable for you to make such a statement about Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn. Why would it be acceptable to make such a statement about people?” he replied.
“A white liberal woman dresses [a hijab]’ Jennings interjected.
SOMALIA FRAUD PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA HIGHLIGHTS GROWING WARNINGS ABOUT EXCESSIVE SHARES OF CASH
Minnesota Lt. Governor and Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan, the state facing a major fraud scandal linked to a Somali-run nonprofit, appeared on Somali television wearing a hijab. (Somali TV Minnesota)
“You are denigrating the religious practices of a group without reason,” Phillip argued.
“He’s not religious,” Jennings said.
A spokesperson representing Flanagan responded to Fox News Digital: “As the Lieutenant Governor showed her support for small businesses and communities being terrorized by ICE, a friend gave her a scarf, which she briefly wore out of respect. The real outrage should not be about a scarf, but about masked men throwing American citizens into vans and violating the constitution.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS ON MEDIA AND CULTURE
Demonstrators dressed as maids from the movie “The Handmaid’s Tale” participate in an anti-Trump protest marking one year since the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump on November 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Fox News’ Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
