Scott Jennings Causes CNN Panel to Implode After Suggesting Dems Think Minorities Are 'Too Dumb' To Get Voter ID

A heated exchange on CNN Wednesday night exposed a growing divide over election integrity — and whether concerns about voter ID laws reflect genuine policy disagreements or a deeper condescension toward minority voters.

During a segment on “CNN NewsNight,” Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings clashed with panelists Charles Blow and Alencia Johnson over the SAVE America Act, legislation passed by the House of Representatives in a narrow 216-213 vote. The bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandate photo identification at the ballot box — measures supporters argue are common-sense safeguards to protect election integrity.

Johnson accused President Donald J. Trump, now serving his second term as President of the United States, of engaging in a pattern of “racism,” suggesting the legislation would disenfranchise voters of color. Jennings immediately pressed her to explain how.

“Wait. What voting rights is he taking away from black voters?” Jennings asked.

“The SAVE Act?” Blow replied, with Johnson adding, “Oh, we look at The Save Act, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. That is actually going to continue to disenfranchise overwhelmingly a lot of people of color.”

Jennings repeatedly asked for specifics, challenging the claim that requiring identification or proof of citizenship equates to racial discrimination. Johnson eventually argued that voter ID requirements function as a poll tax — a practice banned by the 24th Amendment in 1964.

Jennings countered with polling data showing strong support for voter ID laws across racial lines.

“Does it — does it concern you that you’re making all these claims, you’ve yet to lay out how it’s hurting anyone, but 76 percent of black voters think we should show an ID to vote, 80 percent of Hispanic voters, 83 percent of the American people?” Jennings asked.

“Are you saying that black voters are too dumb to know what’s good for them? I mean, it sounds pretty condescending.”

At that point, host Abby Phillip stepped in to clarify her position.

“Just to be clear, the Save Act is not just about IDs. The Save Act is about proof of citizenship. So, it doesn’t — I actually — we talked about this — I was about to say, we talked about this before. It’s not — it actually — there’s an argument to be made that red state voters, women, poor white voters could be —”

Jennings interrupted: “You think they’re dumb, too, don’t you? I mean, that’s the thing. I hear these arguments —”

CNN data reporter Harry Enten had previously noted, during a Feb. 3 appearance on “CNN News Central,” that at least 70 percent of black voters and Democrats support voter ID requirements — a statistic Jennings referenced to bolster his case that the policy is broadly popular.

Despite the polling, Johnson returned to accusing President Trump of racial motives.

“There’s a deflection from talking about Donald Trump’s racism right there,” Johnson claimed.

Jennings dismissed the charge and returned to the core issue.

“Yeah, I think they’re smart enough to figure out how to register to vote, Abby,” he said.

Phillip argued that documentation requirements could create practical challenges.

“Hold on, hold on. Most Americans don’t have a passport. Many Americans don’t have access to their birth certificate,” Phillip claimed.

“Many women, a majority of women who change their names for marriage have to provide additional proof that they’ve changed their names in order to register to vote.”

Jennings stood firm, reframing the debate as one of respect for voters’ intelligence.

“Listen, this — all week long, all week long, I have heard Democrats with the same argument,” he said.

Phillip pushed back: “So, Scott, why don’t you actually respond to the substance of what I’m saying, as opposed to making this about something that it’s not? It’s not just about voter ID. It’s also about who has access to —”

Jennings closed with a pointed challenge: “You’re saying married women, black voters and rural people are too stupid to figure out how to register to vote?”

“Are you saying they can’t figure out how to vote?”

The exchange underscores a broader national debate: whether election integrity measures like proof-of-citizenship requirements represent commonsense protections of constitutional processes — or unjustified barriers.

For supporters of the SAVE America Act, the issue is simple. Citizenship verification and voter ID are not radical proposals — they are foundational safeguards meant to ensure that American elections remain secure, transparent, and trusted by the people.

Critics frame the policy as exclusionary. Advocates argue that assuming minority voters are incapable of meeting standard requirements is itself a form of soft bigotry.

The debate is unlikely to fade anytime soon — especially as election security remains a central issue in President Trump’s second term.