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As expected, Democratic Party voices are struggling to cope with Donald Trump’s presidential win. There are countless clips of Kamala Harris supporters, including self-proclaimed impartial media figures, reacting strongly to the result. One late-night host even broke down in tears.
But beyond the humor, these reactions highlight key reasons for Harris’s loss, often unintentionally, as few are willing to admit fault. On Friday evening, CNN provided a perfect example of this during a segment.
The setup involved commentator Shermichael Singleton suggesting that “there are a lot of families out there who don’t believe boys should play girls’ sports” while discussing Trump’s victory. This statement led to an intense reaction from Jay Michaelson, who identifies as a “rabbi,” with host Abby Phillip also getting involved.
SINGLETON: I think there are a lot of families who don’t believe boys should play girls’ sports.
MICHAELSON: They’re not boys! I’m not going to listen to transphobia at this table!
SINGLETON: No, no, no, no, no…
WOMAN: It’s not true…
MICHAELSON: When you call a trans girl a boy, I’m not going to listen.
SINGLETON: Are you going to allow me to finish my answer?
MICHAELSON: No, when you use a word that’s a slur, I’m gonna interrupt. They’re not boys.
PHILLIP: Jay, Jay, give me one second.
At this point, a competent host might have reined in Michaelson to allow Singleton to finish, but instead, Phillip sided with Michaelson, reinforcing the narrative.
PHILLIP: Let’s just reset for a second.
MICHAELSON: I’m not going to sit there and listen to that.
PHILLIP: This is a really heated issue, right? And, Shermichael, I know you. I know you understand that people have different views on this. I think out of respect for Jay, let’s try to talk about this in a way that is respectful.
SINGLETON: Okay, let me rephrase this since I’m being targeted here.
PHILLIP: Just to be clear, you are not being targeted.
SINGLETON: No, no, it’s okay, but I am, it’s okay.
PHILLIP: I’m specifically saying that I know you are not intending to be transphobic.
SINGLETON: He should know that.
The tension was palpable. Singleton was simply voicing a belief held by many Americans, yet respect only seemed to be expected from one side. Meanwhile, Michaelson’s arguments became increasingly inconsistent. He claimed there is “no consensus” on this issue despite polls in 2023 showing a strong majority believe in the importance of biological distinctions in sports. He also contradicted himself by saying the impact is too small to matter, only to later argue it has enormous implications.
As the conversation continued, Michaelson downplayed the prevalence of “trans girls” in sports while also suggesting that referring to them in certain terms would do “immense harm” to “thousands of people.” To bolster his argument, he cited the American Medical Association, a group known for its progressive stance on such issues.
Ultimately, Trump’s win can be attributed to this exact attitude—one where a vocal, insistent minority demands conformity to its worldview, often disregarding broader public sentiment. Other than Singleton, everyone else in the segment echoed Michaelson’s position, demonstrating why many Americans feel the Democratic Party is out of touch with their values and concerns.
