Calgary CNN Conservative Analyst Can't Defend Trump's Hannibal Lecter Love | HuffPost Latest News - Action.News ABC Action News WestNet-HD Weather Traffic

A CNN political commentator briefly attempted to defend Donald Trumps praise for the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter on Friday before realizing it was better to cut his losses.

Trump name-checked the late, great Hannibal Lecter and called the Silence of the Lambs villain a wonderful man while he demonized undocumented immigrants during a rally last month in New Jersey.

The former president also reportedly brought up Lecter again during a meeting on Wednesday with the House Republican Caucus, calling him a nice guy, who even had a friend over for dinner.

Trumps references to a fictional movie villain are bizarre, to say the least, so CNNs Wolf Blitzer asked conservative commentator Shermichael Singleton and his liberal counterpart, Democratic strategist Maria Cardona, for comment.

Cardona clearly had the easier job.

I just really dont think I need to add anything to that craziness, she said before volleying to Singleton. That is just something that I mean, I would be so scared if I were you, Shermichael, having to defend something like that.

Since defending a presidential nominees praise for a fictional cannibal is typically not taught in pundit school, Singleton had quite the challenge.

But he attempted to do his part for the Republican Party s fearless leader by arguing that Sir Anthony Hopkins is a talented actor and that Silence Of The Lambs is a great movie.

Cardona quickly interjected: He didnt mention Anthony Hopkins, thats the problem.

That put Singleton in a bind.

I know, he replied with a laugh, I know, Maria, before giving up the cause.

You can witness the entire exchange below.

6.14.24 1155 am ET CNN Anchor @wolfblitzer with CNN Political Commentators

Maria Cardona, @MariaTCardona
Shermichael Singleton, @MrShermichael pic.twitter.com/XkmM7zxCSk

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6.14.24 1155 am ET CNN Anchor @wolfblitzer with CNN Political Commentators

Maria Cardona, @MariaTCardona
Shermichael Singleton, @MrShermichael pic.twitter.com/XkmM7zxCSk
Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) June 14, 2024

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