CNBC fights over COVID-19 restrictions explodes on air



[ad_1]

On Friday, two CNBC hosts engaged in an extraordinary morning fight over COVID-19 restrictions and masks during a discussion of how restaurants are being devastated by the pandemic.

Rick Santelli, a CNBC personality who gained fame and attention in 2009 with a Chicago Mercantile Exchange rant suggesting that a tea party should be held during this recession, argued that it made no sense to shut down restaurants in large car parks. the box dealers were crowded with cars and people.

“You can’t tell me shutting down, which is the simplest answer, is the only answer,” said Santelli, who was immediately berated by fellow CNBC personality Andrew Ross Sorkin, who is also a financial columnist. for The New York. Times and has previously had on-air disputes with colleagues at CNBC over appropriate precautions for COVID-19.

“Rick, just like a public health and public service announcement, the difference between a big box retailer,” Sorkin said, before Santelli interrupted him.

“Who is this?” Asked Santelli. The two were speaking from different settings with five other CNBC personalities and guests.

Someone offscreen at this point can be heard saying “who else, who else”, which seems to lead Santelli to nod his head.

Sorkin responded by extending his arm and hand to the camera for Santelli to let him speak.

“The difference between a big box store and a restaurant, or frankly even a church, is so different it’s amazing,” Sorkin said as Santelli shook his head up and down and crossed his arms in front of his chest, signaling obvious frustration with Sorkin.

The two then started yelling at each other, Santelli yelling, “I don’t agree, I don’t agree. I do not agree. You can have your thoughts, and I can have mine ”while Sorkin said,“ You have to wear a mask. It’s science. I’m sorry, this is science.

“It’s not science,” Santelli said in exasperation. “Five hundred people in a mall are no safer than 150 people in a restaurant that holds 600. I don’t think so. Sorry, I don’t believe it. And I live in an area where there are a lot of restaurants that have defended themselves and they have no problem and they are open.

“Well, you don’t have to believe it, but you’re doing the viewer a disservice,” Sorkin replied, before Santelli said, “You are doing the viewer a disservice.” You are. You are.”

“I’m sorry, I would like to keep our viewers as healthy as possible. The idea of ​​wrapping people up in restaurants, ”Sorkin said before Santelli spoke of him,“ I think our viewers are smart enough to make some of these decisions themselves.

CNBC’s Steve Liesman then asked, “How’s that working out for you Rick, look at the numbers.”

Santelli said, “It’s working well, Rick. It works well.

He then said he understood that a lot of people were dying and it’s a horrible thing, “I just think the way we are dealing with this problem is not optimal.”

Another presenter then ended the conversation, saying it was clear people wouldn’t agree.



[ad_2]

Source link