Recent tensions have flared between CNN host Abby Phillip and former “Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels, who now takes on the role of a conservative commentator. Their clash centers on Michaels’ remarks about slavery in America and what Phillip termed a mischaracterization of those comments.
The dispute ignited on August 13 during a “NewsNight” panel where Michaels confronted fellow guest Julie Roginsky. Michaels argued, “You cannot tie imperialism and racism and slavery to just one race, which is pretty much what every single exhibit does.” The discussion turned tense when Congressman Ritchie Torres claimed that “slavery in America was White supremacy.” Michaels countered, questioning Torres’s historical understanding by stating, “Do you know that only less than 2% of White Americans owned slaves? Did you know that slavery is thousands of years old?”
President Trump later weighed in, criticizing museums for what he called an ‘ultra-woke’ approach to discussing American history, particularly regarding slavery. Speaking on Truth Social, he lamented, “The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL,” and chastised the focus on negativity regarding American history, saying, “Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future.”
A week later, Phillip addressed Michaels’ comments during her show, indicating disappointment. “What we try to do on this program is create a platform for discussion and debate,” she asserted. However, she emphasized, “Slavery was indeed bad. It was evil, the nation’s original sin.” Phillip’s remarks seemed to reflect a commitment to articulating the dominant narrative of American history.
Michaels, however, felt her statements were misconstrued. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she accused Phillip of lying about her views. “If I could tell you literally the lies that Abby Phillip and CNN and the Huffington Post have perpetuated after that interview, it’s staggering,” Michaels asserted. She clarified that her emphasis was not on assigning blame to a single race but rather on discussing the full historical context of slavery: “Slavery and imperialism and racism have been practiced by every single human race.”
Further challenging Phillip’s interpretation, Michaels warned about the repercussions of a one-sided narrative around history. “This younger generation is choking on [it], and they’re vomiting it back up,” she claimed, suggesting that a skewed historical narrative is harmful to societal cohesion. She pushed for dialogue, stating, “I want to have it. I embrace it. I think it’s necessary.” Yet, she also acknowledged the fear many feel in discussing these topics, admitting, “You can see why people are afraid to say anything.”
The exchange highlights the growing divide in how Americans are understanding and discussing their history. On one side, figures like Phillip strive to reinforce mainstream views on slavery and racism. On the other, Michaels advocates for a broader perspective that encompasses a more global context of these issues. This clash reflects larger societal debates about race, history, and accountability in contemporary America. In the end, both women represent distinct perspectives that underscore the complexity of discussing America’s past.
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