Even for CNN, this was crazy!
CNN is under fire after a shocking on-air exchange in which a panelist questioned former President Barack Obama’s “Blackness,” sparking a heated debate and leaving viewers stunned.
The controversial discussion unfolded during CNN’s Table for Five on Saturday, when host Abby Phillip struggled to rein in a fiery argument about race, politics, and Obama’s legacy.
The Moment That Stunned CNN Viewers
During the segment, Kmele Foster, co-host of The Fifth Column podcast, stunned the panel when he bluntly asked:
“Is he Black?”
The remark came as the group discussed Obama’s presidency and the state of race relations in America. Foster argued that Obama’s time in office deepened racial divisions instead of healing them.
“I think there was an expectation that Barack Obama would bring unity and healthier conversations about race,” Foster explained. “But under his leadership, we saw major flashpoints like the Trayvon Martin case and the infamous ‘beer summit.’ Instead of calming tensions, those moments made the country more divided.”
Obama’s Controversial Comments Resurface
Foster also criticized Obama’s past statements, including his famous remark about Trayvon Martin.
“If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon,” Obama said in 2012, a comment that sparked nationwide backlash and ignited racial tensions.
Conservatives at the time slammed Obama for politicizing a tragedy and inserting race into a deeply sensitive issue.
Foster suggested that these kinds of statements undermined Obama’s image as a unifying figure and instead fueled identity politics—a trend that continues to divide the nation today.
“Is Obama Black?” – The Debate Erupts
CNN political commentator Ashley Allison pushed back hard, arguing that Obama’s racial identity was clear and central to his presidency.
“We’re missing something important here—Barack Obama is Black,” Allison declared.
Foster immediately challenged her claim, asking:
“What does that even mean? His mother was white, his father was African. Are we still using the outdated ‘one-drop rule’ to define race?”
The exchange quickly escalated as Allison insisted that most Americans view Obama as Black, while Foster questioned why race should define someone’s identity at all.
“I’m an individual,” Foster said. “Race is a social construct that only creates more division.”
Abby Phillip Tries to Contain the Chaos
As tensions boiled over, CNN host Abby Phillip tried to regain control of the conversation:
“We don’t have time to fully unpack this today,” Phillip said nervously as the two guests continued to spar.
But the discussion struck a nerve with viewers and reignited long-running debates over race, identity politics, and Obama’s lasting impact on American culture.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
For many conservatives, the debate highlights a hard truth: Obama’s presidency didn’t unite America—it divided it.
Instead of fostering genuine unity, Obama’s policies and rhetoric pushed identity politics to the forefront, leaving the country more fractured than ever.
This divisiveness ultimately helped pave the way for President Donald Trump’s rise, as millions of Americans rejected the left’s obsession with race and demanded a return to individual freedom, accountability, and traditional American values.
CNN’s Struggle With Race and Ratings
CNN has faced plummeting ratings and growing criticism in recent years for its perceived bias and reliance on sensational identity politics to attract viewers.
This latest controversy will likely fuel conservative distrust of mainstream media, reinforcing the belief that outlets like CNN prioritize political agendas over facts and meaningful dialogue.
The Bigger Picture: Identity Politics in 2025
As America heads toward another pivotal election season, debates like this one reveal just how deep the cultural and political divides remain.
For many older Americans, the constant focus on race and identity is exhausting—and distracting from urgent issues like the economy, border security, and national defense.
This CNN debate serves as a stark reminder that identity politics isn’t just divisive—it’s destructive to the very fabric of the nation.
Final Thoughts
The question of whether Obama is “Black” may seem absurd to some, but it reflects a much larger issue: the left’s fixation on labels and division.
While CNN hosts fiery debates, everyday Americans are looking for real leadership and real solutions—values embodied by leaders like President Donald Trump, who focus on putting America first instead of dividing the country along racial lines.
