In the three-hour Tuesday night Democratic debate, moderator Anderson Cooper never found time to ask about issues that Democrats appreciate, such as climate change, immigration, and LGBT rights.
But he took the time to ask a question about … Ellen DeGeneres.
“Last week, Ellen DeGeneres was criticized after she and former President George W. Bush were seen laughing together in a football game. Ellen defended their friendship and said: “We are all different and I think we have forgotten that it is okay, that we are all different,” Cooper told the 12 candidates competing for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“Then, in that spirit, we would like you to tell us about a friendship that you have had that would surprise us and the impacts it has had on you and your beliefs,” he asked.
The question was like a lead balloon.
“Three hours and no question tonight about climate, housing or immigration,” candidate Julian Castro wrote on Twitter. “Climate change is an existential threat. The United States has a housing crisis. The children are still caged at our border. But you know, Ellen.
Sen. Kamala Harris also tore the question.
“Three hours. No question about the climate crisis. No questions about LGBTQ rights. No questions about immigration. These problems are too important to ignore. #DemDebate, ”she wrote.
Even Trevor Noah of “The Daily Show” also mocked the question.
DeGeneres, the famous talk show host during the day, and his wife, actress Portia de Rossi, were invited to a Dallas Cowboys game by Charlotte Jones, daughter of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Former President George W. Bush, who has a home in Dallas, also attended, sitting in the owners’ box.
When she posted a photo, Twitter exploded, and the liberals embarrassed her for sitting next to Bush.
But DeGeneres returned the fire.
“People were upset,” says DeGeneres in a segment that will air on his show on Tuesday. “They thought: ‘Why does a gay Hollywood liberal sit next to a conservative Republican president?’ … Many people were angry and they did what they do when they are angry: they tweet. ”
She explains that people can be friends, even if they have different views on politics.
“I’m friends with George Bush,” said DeGeneres. “In fact, I am friends with many people who do not share the same beliefs that I have”
DeGeneres joked that he knew before leaving that there would be people there with different points of view.
“When they invited us, I knew that I would be surrounded by people with very different views and beliefs. And I’m not talking about politics… I was supporting the Packers, ”said DeGeneres. “So I had to hide my cheese hat in Portia’s bag.”
And she added that people should simply be friendlier.
“Just because I don’t agree with someone at all doesn’t mean I’m not going to be friends with them,” he said. “When I say that you are kind to each other, I don’t mean just people who think the same way you do. I mean, be nice to everyone. “
Bush’s spokesman, Freddy Ford, told Fox News on Tuesday: “President and Mrs. Bush really enjoyed being with Ellen and Portia (from Rossi) and thanked Ellen’s comments about mutual respect. They respect her ”
