CNBC’s Joe Kernen Pounces on Guest Over Tax Hikes Before Even Introducing Her: ‘Just Answer That!’
CNBC’s Joe Kernen was set off by his guest’s views on taxes before he even had a chance to introduce her on Friday’s Squawk Box.
In a panel discussion with co-hosts Andrew Ross Sorkin and Rebecca Quick, Kernen accused both Republicans and Democrats of pushing “bad populist” ideas in their economic agendas, including Vice President Kamala Harris’s capital gains tax policy and former President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Kernen then moved to a discussion on tax and economic policies with Roosevelt Forward director Elizabeth Pancotti and America First Policy Institute chief economist Michael Faulkender, but Kernen was jumped into a debate before he could introduce either.
“I don’t know, I read the notes, Elizabeth, and you’re just going to tell me raising — or cutting taxes on the wealthy, as if corporations are a code word for the wealthy. I just don’t understand that,” he said.
“Oh, I don’t think that’s true at all,” a surprised Pancotti responded.
“Aren’t you saying that’s all he wants to do is cut taxes for the wealthy? Why is cutting taxes on corporations for the wealthy? Why is that for the wealthy?” Kernen asked.
“I think there’s both. I think one, we know that capital income represents for the top households a huge amount of their income relative to wage income at the bottom so when those corporations do better or when they’re given tax breaks that flows to the top households,” Pancotti said.
“Seriously, Elizabeth, that’s a bad thing? Who do you think provides the jobs in this country and the people that work at those companies that pay the taxes to afford everything we do? The government can’t provide jobs. Who is going to pay the government workers?” Kernen said.
Pancotti noted the government is the “largest employer” in the United States, and Kernen kept pushing his point.
“Yeah, exactly, and where do you get the money to pay those employees?” he said.
“I think there’s this false false reality to trickle down economics —” Pancotti said before Kernen jumped back in.
“Just answer me, where do you get the money to pay the government employees? Just answer that! That’s all I want you to answer,” Kernen said.
“Revenue from both households and corporations,” Pancotti answered.
“It all flows down from the private sector. I’m sorry to tell you,” Kernen, stopping Pancotti as she replied so he could actually introduce both her and Faulkender.
Watch above via CNBC.
