‘Can Lead To Real Violence!’ CNN’s Jim Acosta Calls Out Trump Pets-Eating Rants — Asks Trump Ally Should He Drop Out

CNN anchor Jim Acosta called out the potential for “real violence” in former President Donald Trump’s rants about pets being eaten, and asked pro-Trump analyst Scott Jennings if Trump should drop out of the race.

Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris met for the first time on the debate stage in Philadelphia Tuesday night for the ABC News debate, which generated many memorable moments . But none has taken off quite like Trump’s “They’re eating the pets!” rant, which has now become part of his stump speech.

On Friday’s edition of CNN Newsroom With Jim Acosta , the anchor spoke to Jennings and Democratic analyst Paul Begala about the moment, and pointed out that a recent bomb threat was pegged to anti-Haitian sentiment.

Acosta asked Jennings if Trump is “all there” — and if he should exit the race. Jennings conspicuously did not answer the former:

JIM ACOSTA: Now, there’s real world consequences to that rhetoric. Springfield, Ohio’s newspaper reports that recent bomb threats came from someone who mentioned frustration with the city over Haitian immigration issues.

This stuff can lead to real violence! We saw it at the Wal-Mart in El Paso, or the Tree of Life Synagogue. I mean, on a serious note, I mean, there are consequences to this stuff.

Scott and I — I just have to wonder, we’re talking about the Biden-Trump debate a little while ago. And there were all these calls for Biden to drop out of the race and step aside after that debate performance.

When the former president is talking about people stealing geese and eating dogs and cats. I mean, shouldn’t there be a conversation about whether Trump should step aside even at this late stage?

SCOTT JENNINGS: No. Come on. He’s the Republican nominee. He went through a primary, and unlike the Democrats, we actually respect the Democratic process. We had people vote. They voted for Trump —

JIM ACOSTA: But Scott, I remember you going on and on about Joe Biden. I remember you going on and on about President Biden after that debate. And I’m just. Do you think that Trump is all there? Is he of sound mind, talking about people stealing geese?

SCOTT JENNINGS: Donald Trump is the same candidate today that he was in ’16 and ’20. One time. He won one time he lost. I don’t know whether he’s going to win or lose this time, but I don’t see I mean, he is — he is the same and he represents the same kind of politics that he always has. I don’t know if it’s going to be enough this time. But no, I think to compare him to the absolutely mentally vacant Joe Biden is kind of ridiculous, honestly.

JIM ACOSTA: Paul, your thought?

PAUL BEGALA: Look, this is the difference between the Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have a political party. Political parties exist to win. Biden didn’t look like he could win, so the Democrats replace him with someone who can.

Mr. Trump’s — Scott’s right. He’s a fatally flawed candidate but needs a checkup from the neck up. He’s cracking up. He’s under a lot of pressure. I mean, anybody would, I think, be under pressure. 34 felony convictions being sued, left, right and center, found adjudicated liable for sexually abusing a woman on Fifth Avenue.

So he’s under enormous stress and he’s cracking under that stress. That’s what’s happening here. And I think it’s sad. It may be too late, Jim. We’ve only 53 days to the election, but early voting is starting in just 6 or 7 days in a lot of states.

And those ballots are starting to go out in North Carolina particularly. So it may be too late. They may just be stuck with this guy.

Watch above via CNN Newsroom With Jim Acosta .