CNN explodes into furious row as star rages ‘you’re all nuts’

Kevin O’Leary set off a firestorm online after a heated moment during a CNN panel discussion.

The exchange unfolded when host Abby Phillip invited O’Leary to offer any closing thoughts. Instead of a measured response, the 71-year-old businessman snapped, “You’re all nuts,” catching the panel off guard. Phillip, clearly taken aback, replied that if he didn’t have anything further to add, he could simply decline to comment. As she moved to wrap up the segment, O’Leary interjected again, saying, “A shovel,” prompting Phillip to firmly tell him to stop.

The tense moment came during a broader conversation about Fulton County and the justification for election-related investigations. The discussion follows renewed attention on the 2020 election after the FBI searched an elections office in Fulton County, Georgia. The development has intensified debate, with critics warning that such actions risk deepening mistrust in the electoral system at a time when the country is already politically divided ahead of the next presidential race.

Clips of the exchange quickly circulated on X, where reactions ranged from disbelief to sharp criticism. One user argued that television panels sometimes reward theatrics over substance, questioning why disruptive behavior continues to receive airtime. Another wrote that O’Leary’s outburst overshadowed what had been a fact-based discussion, calling the moment more spectacle than debate.

Some commenters focused on the broader issue of guest selection. A few questioned why CNN regularly features O’Leary on political panels, suggesting his background in business may be better suited to financial discussions rather than electoral politics. Others defended the idea that diverse viewpoints can strengthen debate but said it requires participants willing to engage constructively.

The incident has since fueled wider conversation about the tone of political discourse on cable news and whether sharp soundbites are replacing substantive dialogue at a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile.