In a spirited post-debate analysis, CNN host and political commentator Van Jones hailed Vice President Kamala Harris for her commanding performance against former President Donald Trump. Jones praised Harris, stating she “whooped” her opponent and effectively “put him in his place.”
Jones expressed admiration for Harris’ approach, highlighting how she “baited” Trump and then decisively “spanked” him, underscoring that her performance demonstrated her capability as a leader while revealing Trump’s shortcomings.
“She whooped him.” he said. “She got up there and she put him in his place. She baited him and then she spanked him. She baited him and then she spanked him,” Jones told a CNN panel immediately after the debate. “Not only did she pass the commander in chief test, he failed it.”
According to Jones, Harris’ debate performance was a form of “wish fulfillment” for many viewers who had longed to see someone stand up to Trump effectively. He noted that previous contenders had struggled to challenge Trump successfully, but Harris managed to confront him in a way that resonated with the audience.
“I mean, you could see the punches coming he couldn’t get out of the way,” Jones observed, highlighting the clarity of Harris’ arguments and the former president’s inability to counter them effectively.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper largely echoed Jones’ sentiment, commenting on how Harris’ remarks seemed to unsettle Trump significantly. “If you can unhinge somebody by saying people leave your rally, it suggests that any world leader could easily manipulate him,” Cooper noted.
The debate performances of Harris and Trump have sparked divided opinions among critics, contrasting sharply with the reactions to the first debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, which had seen mixed reviews for Biden.
Jones, who had previously criticized Biden’s performance in June’s debate, expressed disappointment, stating, “I worked for Joe Biden. He didn’t do well at all.” He added that while Biden is a dedicated and well-intentioned leader, his performance fell short of restoring public confidence.
In contrast, conservative critics like Fox News commentator Jesse Watters were less impressed with Harris’ debate showing. Watters suggested that the American public might not view the debate as a decisive victory for either side, while he praised Trump’s humor throughout the exchange.
Watch the segment below:
"She whooped him. She just whooped him." @VanJones68 says "Kamala Harris did something great for every parent in America – she put the bully in his place." pic.twitter.com/kxdvCSVEI2
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 11, 2024
