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MSNBC Panel Discussion About Spicer's Exchange With April Ryan Gets Heated

March 29, 2017

MSNBC host Chris Jansing assembled a panel on Wednesday to react to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's exchange with a reporter who he told to "stop shaking [her] head" on Tuesday.

Spicer told April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks on Tuesday to "stop shaking [her] head" and "report the facts" after she asked him a question about how the White House would repair its image after the investigations into whether Russia and the Trump campaign were colluding.

Spicer's comments sparked outrage on social media, as many people considered his comments sexist and racist. Jansing invited American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp and tenured Morgan State University professor and political editor for The Root Jason Johnson to discuss the exchange

"I don’t believe him. I think it was offensive. I think it was inappropriate. I think it was racist. I think it was sexist," Johnson said.

"We also have to remember that the rhetoric and the behavior of this administration from top to bottom has demonstrated a lack of respect and a lack of consideration for people of color. I'm not surprised,"  Johnson added.

Schlapp responded by saying that he thought Spicer's comment was "too feisty," but defended Spicer by saying that he didn't believe there was "ill-intent" or "disrespect" towards Ryan.

"This is not racism," Schlapp said, igniting a heated exchange with Johnson.

"You don’t get to tell other people what racism is!" Johnson said.

"You don’t either!" Schlapp fired back.

Schlapp and Johnson then went back and forth, accusing each other of being the problem. It was often difficult to decipher what they were saying, but they verbally went at each other until Jansing finally cut them off after repeated attempts.

"This is the exact kind of aggression and lack of respect that we’re talking about," Johnson summed up.

"I don't care what color you are and I have respect for you," Schlapp said.