CNN’s Don Lemon and Guests Mock Trump Supporters as Redneck, Illiterate ‘Rubes’

When it comes to espousing your political beliefs, there are two ways to go about it: The high road and the low.  And, despite former First Lady Michelle Obama’s insistence that the Democratic Party will always “go high”, there is plenty of evidence that this simply isn’t the case.

In the mainstream media, politicly stereotyping and discrimination can go a long way.  As humans, we respond to emotional stimuli by narrowing our focus and concentration.  When someone makes us feel special, they get special treatment in return.  When we are insulted, we immediately hone in on what can be done to prevent feeling that way again.

This is way cable news stations are so dramatic and vitriolic; if we love or hate what they’re telling us, we’re more likely to watch.  It’s a dirty trick, and no one does it better than CNN.

This week, primetime host Don Lemon and his guests took this to the next level, mocking those ascribing to the MAGA movement as “rubes” who can’t read a map.

The following is a partial transcript of what was said:

DON LEMON: [The NPR reporter] has a master’s degree in European studies from Cambridge University. Also, [Pompeo] doesn’t really say that she couldn’t identify Ukraine on a map, he insinuates it’s just a — it’s just a petty attempt to put her down, right? Is that what this is?

RICK WILSON: Of course, of course. [Pompeo’s] just trying to demean her, and obviously, it’s false. And, look, he also knows, deep in his heart, that Donald Trump couldn’t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter “U” and a picture of an actual physical crane next to it. [Pompeo] knows this is an administration defined by ignorance of the world, and so that’s partly him playing to their base and playing to their audience, you know, the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump — that wants to think that [does Trump supporter impersonation with southern accent] ‘Donald Trump’s the smart one, and y’all – y’all elitists are dumb!’”

WAJAHAT ALI: [Trump supporter impersonation] You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling!

WILSON: [southern impersonation] Your math and your reading!

ALI: [impersonation] Yeah, your reading, you know, your geography, knowing other countries, sipping your latte!

WILSON: [southern impersonation] All those lines on the map!

ALI: [impersonation] Only them elitists know where Ukraine is! Sorry, I apologize.

LEMON: [wiping tears, laughing] Oh, my God!

ALI: But it was Rick’s fault. I blame Rick. But, in all honesty —

LEMON: Hold on — hold on — hold on. That was good, sorry. Rick, that was a good one — I needed that.

In a nation already hotly divided down political lines, there is simply no need for this sort of flagellatory defamation.