CNN Host Tells Republican Panelist 'Don't Be a Dick'

On Tuesday, Anderson Cooper of CNN got heated with former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu during a panel discussion.

Sununu, a Republican who defends Donald Trump, was praising tech billionaire Elon Musk for listing alleged wasteful government spending during a press conference with the president. Musk, a special government employee, had spoken about his unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. 

Cooper pushed back, arguing there was no real evidence for Musk’s claims. As the debate escalated, Cooper told Sununu, “Don’t put words in my mouth,” before snapping, “Don’t be a dick.”

Anderson Cooper gets SO frazzled by fmr NH Gov ⁦Sununu’s appreciation for DOGE…

that Anderson ⁩actually cuts him off with…

“DON’T BE A DICK.”

Yeah.

THAT’s the CNN anchor response when confronted reality.

What a network. pic.twitter.com/mQLzDs2kdX

— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) February 12, 2025

Later, Cooper apologized, admitting, “I was mean, I was rude to you.” Sununu, who has recently shifted from criticizing Trump to supporting him, brushed it off, saying, “Are you kidding? I grew up with seven brothers and sisters, and I’m a Sununu.” 

Cooper, still regretful, said, “I don’t know why I said that.” Sununu shrugged, “It’s post-eight o’clock. Have some fun on CNN.” Cooper replied, “I don’t wanna do that.”