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CNN anchor slams Democrats' awkward TikTok video 'inviting ridicule'
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CNN contributor Scott Jennings also weighed in, saying, 'This was the dumbest thing I've ever seen'
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Published March 7, 2025 11:38am EST

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CNN anchor Abby Phillip and Republican commentator Scott Jennings both tore into a viral TikTok in which several elected Democrats pretended to be video game characters in a "choose your fighter parody."



House Democrats are facing criticism from both sides of the aisle after a viral "Choose your fighter" TikTok video. (Getty)

Strickland defended the viral video, claiming that creativity is typically met with criticism, and reiterating the massive reach the video obtained.

"So, when you think about TikTok as a trend, we are trying to reach out to different people and different voters. And the woman who produced this is an influencer with seven million followers. So, this is lighthearted, it's fun. And every time you do something creative, you're going to get criticism, right? But I actually applaud them for trying to do something different. And here's the reality, seven million followers. Whether you think it's cringe or you like it, we're on CNN on a Thursday night and we're talking about it on national TV," claimed the congresswoman.

Phillip continued to grill Strickland on the purpose of the TikTok, asking, "To what end? I don't get it. Like, I don't get it. I mean, maybe you will get seven million eyeballs, but, like, what is the point?"

Republican commentator Scott Jennings then jumped in directly after Phillip's question, offering advice to 

"I am not accustomed to helping your party do anything, but let me give you some advice. This was the dumbest thing I've ever seen. And if you read the comments today, Lord have mercy. Look, scrambling for new social media and communication strategies is not a replacement for fixing what's actually wrong. Your party has a 21% approval rating right now, congressional Democrats," Jennings told the congresswoman.





The Whitehouse responded to the viral TikTok, saying, 'America chose its fighters last November.' (Getty Images/AP Images)

Instead of responding to Jennings' advice, Strickland flipped the conversation to  performance in office.

"Well, let's talk about fixing what's wrong. Donald Trump is doing nothing for the American people," Strickland fired back at Jennings.

After a short back-and-forth, Jennings left the Democratic congresswoman with some final advice for her party.

"He’s beating you by 30 points. So my advice, my strong advice to you, fix the policy and leave the gimmicks behind," said Jennings.



_Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report_

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