CNN’s Dana Bash Gobsmacked By Segment’s Explosive Turn After Guest Declares El-Sayed ‘Sleeps in Bin Laden’s Jersey’

CNN’s Dana Bash was left stunned after a panelist declared that Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed “sleeps in Osama bin Laden’s jersey,” setting off a fiery debate.

Democratic strategist Guy Cecil and Republican strategist Jason Theilman joined Bash on Wednesday’s Inside Politics to discuss the various midterm races and things got heated quickly after Bash turned the attention to Michigan, where El-Sayed is running against Republican Mike Rogers.

Bash asked about El-Sayed’s “strategy” when answering questions about his faith (he is Muslim) and accusations of being associated with extremists.

“We all saw that viral moment over the weekend when Tommy asked him if he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. And we’ve seen the way that El-Sayed responded to that, which was with a very lengthy explanation of why he thinks that’s a question of dual loyalties. It wasn’t just at that moment. He’s said it multiple times. He could tact of, of course I disavow, what’s the next question on gas prices? But he’s not doing that. Is that the right move?” Bash asked.

Cecil, the former executive director of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, chalked up El-Sayed’s answers to the fact that he’s answered questions about his faith “over and over.”

Theilman, former executive director of National Republican Senatorial Committee, then set off his fellow panelist when he offered his thoughts, echoing a line from Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA).

“They ought to take him and put him in a bunker somewhere because every time he opens his mouth, he continues to perpetuate a problem. And I think Senator Kennedy said it best. When he goes to bed at night, it looks like he’s sleeping in [Osama] bin Laden’s Jersey,” Theilman said, earning immediate groans from Cecil and Bash.

“You want to know why he answers the question? Because you have anti—” Cecil began, stopping himself short.

After a beat, he continued, “It’s one thing to criticize a policy. Talking about a guy being in Osama Bin Laden’s jersey is pretty disgusting. And I think this is why he answers the questions the way he does and it’s this type of overreach—”

Theilman then jumped in, leading to some tense crosstalk.

“What is disgusting is apologizing for antisemitism,” Theilman said about El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel’s government.

“Overtalking me doesn’t make you right. And you’ll want to apologize for what you just said later,” Cecil warned Theilman.

Cecil accused Theilman and other Republicans of going low and personal because they are desperate.

“The reality is you can criticize his positions on Israel without saying he sleeps in Osama bin Laden’s Jersey. It is okay to criticize candidates. It is not okay to do what he’s doing, what [Vivek Ramaswamy] is doing, which is taking this campaign to a different level,” he said.

Theilman did not respond to the jersey comments, but continued blasting Democrats, saying they haven’t picked “quality” candidates.

Bash wrapped up the segment by expressing her shock at the comment and the direction everything went in.

“That…took a turn. I’m not gonna, I’m not gonna, you know… I did not expect that to turn into a debate and, you know, that was…I think it was important what you said,” Bash told Cecil.

Watch above via CNN.

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