A recent CNN political discussion became very heated when a conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, made a shocking comment about Minnesota Democrats. The talk was about politics in 2026 and how leaders connect with different communities. Jennings compared Minnesota Democrats to characters from The Handmaid’s Tale, which made other panelists and the host, Abby Phillip, react strongly.
The Controversy: Handmaid’s Tale vs. Cultural Outreach
The problem started when Jennings showed video of Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who may run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, visiting a Somali market. Flanagan was wearing a headscarf (hijab) to show respect while talking to the Somali community. Jennings asked why liberal Democrats would “dress like characters from The Handmaid’s Tale” to “please” a religious group. He meant that he thought Democrats were using religious clothing to get votes from the Somali community.
Host and Panel Pushback: A Clash of Perspectives
CNN host Abby Phillip quickly said that Jennings’ comparison was “inappropriate” and “offensive.” She explained that a hijab, which is a religious symbol for many Muslim women, is very different from the forced clothes worn in the fictional story. Other panelists said Flanagan’s clothing was normal and polite when visiting a religious place. Jennings kept saying that he felt the Democrats’ actions were fake and meant to gain votes, especially because of a Minnesota scandal involving some state-funded social programs.
Key Moments from the Exchange:
- Scott Jennings’ View: He said Minnesota Democrats care too much about the Somali community and use clothing as a political “costume.”
- Abby Phillip’s Rebuttal: She said respecting religion is not the same as politics and that the Handmaid’s Tale comparison went too far.
- Contextual Scrutiny: The talk also discussed how Minnesota’s growing diverse population makes politics more complicated.
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Understanding the Minnesota Somali Community
To understand why this is controversial, it helps to know the facts about Minnesota’s Somali community. Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the U.S., mostly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Around 80,000–92,000 people of Somali origin live there. About 58% were born in the U.S., and around 70% of people aged 18–64 have jobs.
This community is an important voting group in Minnesota. But they have also been in the news because of federal investigations about pandemic relief funds, like the “Feeding Our Future” case, which is part of current Minnesota politics.
Broader Themes: Pop Culture Meets Real-World Politics
Using The Handmaid’s Tale shows how pop culture is used in political arguments. Normally, progressives use the Handmaid image to protest abortion laws. Jennings used it differently, to criticize Democrats for working with a religious immigrant community.
This debate shows the challenge for Minnesota Democrats. They must stay true to progressive values while also connecting with the Somali community, which often has traditional religious beliefs. As the 2026 Senate race comes closer, these issues will get more attention in the news.
Disclaimer
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