CNN political commentator Van Jones said late Thursday that Vice President Harris “humiliated” former President Trump at this week’s debate , adding that the Democratic nominee could’ve stopped the “elder abuse” toward the end of the event.
“Kamala Harris did something that no politician has done, ever,” Jones said during an appearance on “CNN NewsNight.” “She didn’t just beat him. She humiliated him. She humiliated him.
“He has been the Pac-Man of American politics,” Jones added in remarks highlighted by Mediaite . “He has eaten up, gobbled up politicians, spit ’em out, went through 16 Republican governors and senators like it was nothing. And even when he does badly, he usually has something he can point to.”
The Tuesday night debate was the first time Harris and Trump had ever met in person. They clashed over a variety of issues , including the economy, immigration, abortion and health care. Harris repeatedly tried to get under Trump’s skin and, at times, seemed successful, as the GOP nominee appeared visibly irritated in exchanges. A CNN flash poll , released following the debate, showed that 63 percent of registered voters said Harris outperformed Trump. About 37 percent thought that the former president was victorious.
“She whooped him so badly that I think he’s literally afraid to come back,” Jones said on CNN. “And so — now I agree, the last 20 minutes, she could’ve stopped with the elder abuse at that point and then turn more to her program. I wish that she had, but she’s got plenty of time now. And now, the funk is off.”
“To quote the New York Times: ‘Pundits may think Kamala won, but undecided voters aren’t so sure,’ ” Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Hill in response to Jones’s remarks.
Jones, a pundit and a Democratic strategist, added that Harris should do more media appearances, but said the debate showcased her ability to deal with political leaders at home and abroad.
“I think she’s going to do a bunch of interviews,” he said.
“I wanted her to do interviews. I agree with you, she needs to get her program to find. But she first had to demonstrate this is a woman who can deal with any man — Putin, Donald Trump or anybody else — and she established that,” he added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this week, the CNN pundit said Harris put the ex-president “in his place” during the debate.
Trump said Thursday that he won’t do another debate with Harris.
Updated at 10:33 a.m. EDT
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