A comment by CNN host Kasie Hunt during the network’s election-night coverage has drawn criticism from conservative media commentators, who say her use of the word “us” suggested identification with Democratic political victories.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — CNN host Kasie Hunt faced criticism Wednesday, Nov. 4, after referring to Democratic midterm election gains as something that took “us” years to achieve, prompting conservative media observers to question whether the remark revealed political bias in the network’s coverage.
The exchange occurred during CNN’s election-night broadcast as Hunt discussed unexpectedly strong Democratic performances in several states, including Texas, Ohio and Kansas, with anchor Anderson Cooper and former Obama administration adviser David Axelrod.
The remarks attracted attention after conservative media watchdog NewsBusters published an analysis of the exchange, arguing that Hunt’s language suggested she identified herself with the Democratic Party’s electoral success.
During the discussion, Hunt described conversations with Republican and Democratic sources who were assessing the unfolding results.
“So, look, Anderson, at this point in the night, obviously, we’re still being conservative with our decision desk, but all of the both Republicans and Democrats I’m talking to are looking across the map and they are saying the same thing: that this night is shaping up to be a blue tsunami, just to use kind of the word that we have been wondering about the Senate races right now,” Hunt said.
She continued by describing Democratic performances in competitive states.
“Talarico’s numbers are- he is outperforming where they need to be. The Gina Hinojosa campaign, the gubernatorial race there, they think they’re outperforming their numbers right now. That’s going to be much closer. Then you’ve got Ohio and Kansas. Republicans are saying they think those are likely- they’re telling me those are likely going to be gone, too.”
Hunt characterized the developing results as a major setback for Republicans and an outcome Democrats had not expected.
“I mean, this is at a level that honestly was the greatest fear for Republicans. And it was something that Democrats didn’t dare to hope for.”
Axelrod then offered his interpretation of the election results.
“Well, this is a repudiation that is absolutely broad. And the through line is Donald Trump. And the through line is Trump’s- are Trump’s policies,” Axelrod said.
Cooper responded, “He is on the ballot, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat.”
Axelrod added, “He begged to be on the ballot and he is on the ballot. And the verdict is very, very negative. And it’s broad across this big, diverse country.”
Hunt then made the statement that became the focus of the controversy.
“And it took us years to get there, too,” she said.
NewsBusters writer Jorge Bonilla highlighted the word “us,” arguing that Hunt appeared to associate herself with the Democrats whose victories she had just described.
Bonilla acknowledged that the comment could be interpreted as referring to the country collectively but argued that the surrounding discussion supported a different interpretation.
The criticism centered on whether Hunt was speaking as a journalist describing a political development or as someone personally invested in the Democratic Party’s success.
A video clip circulated on X, drawing additional scrutiny of the broadcast.
Other conservative commentators also seized on the remark. Townhall published a separate account arguing that Hunt’s wording raised questions about the political sympathies of journalists covering the election.
The criticism emerged during a night in which Democrats captured control of both chambers of Congress and recorded major victories in states that Republicans had expected to defend.
Hunt’s comments initially focused on the scale of those results, including Democratic performances in the Texas gubernatorial and Senate elections.
The disputed statement, however, did not explicitly identify whom Hunt meant by “us.” Although critics interpreted the word as referring to Democrats, the brief exchange alone does not conclusively establish her intended meaning.
The episode nevertheless renewed debate over political impartiality in television news coverage, particularly when journalists and political commentators appear together during live election broadcasts.
Hunt has worked as a political journalist for several national news organizations, including NBC News, MSNBC and CNN. She currently anchors CNN programming focused on political developments and national affairs.
As of Thursday, no public explanation from Hunt or CNN addressing the specific remark had been identified in the reviewed reporting.
The controversy illustrates how a brief comment during live election coverage can become the subject of wider scrutiny, especially when political analysts and journalists are discussing an unexpected electoral outcome.
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