Washington, D.C. – Tensions erupted this week when a former official of the Trump administration accused a prominent CNN commentator of duplicity regarding their support for the former president. Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s tenure, took to social media on Tuesday to make allegations against Scott Jennings, claiming that Jennings publicly defended Trump while privately ridiculing him.
The friction began during a lively exchange on CNN’s “NewsNight,” leading Taylor to voice concerns about Jennings’ alleged insincerity. On X, Taylor criticized Jennings as a commentator who supposedly ridicules Trump in private settings, contrasting that with his on-air persona as a defender of the president. This sparked a rapid response on social media, where various individuals weighed in on the allegations.
Lydia Moynihan, a reporter from the New York Post, leapt to Jennings’ defense, asserting that his support for Trump was genuine. Meanwhile, former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, expressed skepticism about Taylor’s claims. In a post on X, Kinzinger maintained that while he would not share specifics, his experiences led him to disagree with Taylor’s assessment of Jennings. In return, Jennings indirectly addressed the situation by sharing video clips from the show and emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward those who undermine the president during military operations, while Taylor countered that Jennings communicated with unnamed White House sources while they were live.
This public feud unfolded amid increased scrutiny of Taylor by the Trump administration. In April 2025, former President Trump issued a memorandum targeting Taylor, calling him a “treasonous leaker” and directing investigations into his past actions. Taylor has faced significant backlash since leaving the administration, having previously called attention to internal resistance against Trump in a buzzworthy 2018 op-ed published anonymously in “The New York Times.” Following his departure, Taylor published several works, including his 2023 book, “Blowback,” warning about the risks of Trump’s potential return to power.
Amidst his criticisms, Taylor claimed the ongoing investigation amounted to political retaliation, with his attorney, Abbe Lowell, describing it as a blatant example of retribution. Taylor spoke recently about the toll this scrutiny has taken on his life, noting that he and those connected to him have endured harassment and threats. The pressure led him to establish a legal fund as he stepped back from professional engagements, while his wife resumed work to help support their family.
As the situation unfolded, Jennings’ history as a defender of Trump became more complicated. Jennings, who previously served under President George W. Bush, once penned a critical op-ed in which he denounced Trump’s role in the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, arguing that the former president incited unrest with his misinformation.
Further compounding the controversy, Taylor’s accusations prompted other figures associated with CNN to corroborate his claims. Joe Walsh, a former Illinois congressman and CNN contributor, labeled Jennings a “fraud” and claimed he had witnessed Jennings’ off-camera criticism of Trump. Julie Roginsky, a Democratic strategist, shared her firsthand observations of Jennings belittling Trump, alleging that her public challenges to him led to her being banned from CNN. Wajahat Ali, another former contributor, also supported Taylor’s claims, echoing sentiments regarding Jennings’ contradictory behavior in front of and behind the camera.
As Taylor continues to navigate the fallout from his allegations, he emphasized that remaining silent was not an option, as doing so would tacitly endorse the administration’s misuse of power. The ongoing exchange raises important questions about authenticity and accountability in political commentary, especially in an era defined by intense media scrutiny and polarization.