Headline news on CNN took an uncomfortable turn today (March 20) when Angela Rye, host of the Native Land Pod, called out Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary for touching her. The on-air clash erupted when the two were sparring over Elon Musk’s ethics.
In the segment, Rye argues that Musk’s contributions of $6,600 to seven different Republican lawmakers should be viewed as a “quid pro quo,” insinuating that the billionaire was buying influence. In an attempt to launch his counterpoint, O’Leary began animatedly gesturing and was abruptly confronted.
“He literally tweeted to members of Congress… you don’t have to touch me!” Rye snapped.
Taken aback, O’Leary attempted to defuse the situation. “I did that nicely,” he insisted. “I don’t want you to touch me,” the podcaster shot back.
“I won’t ever do it again,” O’Leary then conceded, leaving an awkward tension to linger between them.
See the moment below.
Unmoved by the awkwardness, Rye pressed on, emphasizing that Musk had explicitly thanked the lawmakers receiving his donations on X. “But he literally says, he literally, he says thank you to the members who introduced articles of impeachment,” she stated. “That is an exchange of value. That is a violation.”
O’Leary, rebounding from the tense moment, pivoted to a broader perspective on political fundraising. “Let’s talk about the two narratives going on simultaneously. The oldest profession on Earth is not prostitution; it’s politicians raising money,” he quipped. “That has happened from the beginning of time. That’s going on forever and will continue forever. This issue around judges, this is pure politics. Get over it. This is what we live in today, every day.”
“No laws have been broken,” he added. “You don’t like it? Too bad.”
Angela Rye has never been one to hold back her feelings about political issues. In 2017, Rye created another moment when she refused to call Donald Trump “her president.”
X/FredMenachem
See Rye’s exchange with Kevin O’Leary above.
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