CNN commentator’s citizenship claim debunked
CNN commentator Bakari Sellers thought he had a winning jab at President Donald Trump’s family, but instead, he tripped over basic facts.
According to The Western Journal, Sellers recently argued on air that Trump’s children might not deserve their American citizenship due to their mothers’ immigrant status at the time of their births.
The segment started with Sellers criticizing a new Florida detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” for its harsh conditions in the Everglades. He called the facility “anti-American” for stacking people without due process. Yet, his righteous indignation seems more like a convenient talking point than a consistent stand.
Sellers Targets Trump Family Citizenship
Sellers then pivoted to a personal attack, questioning the citizenship of Trump’s children, including Barron Trump, son of Melania Trump. He suggested examining “all of Melania’s kids” and “Ivana’s kids” to see who truly belongs here. Apparently, facts aren’t a prerequisite for CNN airtime.
“I mean, let’s just have a full conversation over who belongs here,” Sellers rambled. If he wanted a conversation, he might start with a history lesson—Trump’s status as a U.S. citizen father automatically secures his children’s citizenship, no debate needed.
Sellers even mused that only Tiffany Trump, born to American citizen Marla Maples, should be safe in this hypothetical purge. His selective memory ignores the legal reality, already clarified by outlets like the Associated Press, that birthright citizenship doesn’t apply as he implied. It’s almost as if pushing a narrative trumps the truth.
Media Corrections Undermine Sellers’ Claims
The Associated Press had to issue a correction in 2018 after making a similar erroneous claim about Trump’s children. Their assessment labeled it a “mixture” of truth and falsehood, noting Ivana Trump’s non-citizen status at the time but confirming Donald Trump’s citizenship covered his offspring.
Reuters also weighed in after a significant event, reiterating that none of Trump’s children relied on birthright citizenship as Sellers suggested. This isn’t obscure trivia—it’s public record. One wonders if Sellers skipped the research or just hoped viewers would.
Sellers’ flub extends to basic details, like claiming Melania has multiple children when she has only one, Barron. For a pundit so eager to question others’ status, he might check his own grasp of the facts. It’s a small error with a big reveal of sloppy reasoning.
CNN Host Sidesteps the Blunder
The CNN host didn’t even touch Sellers’ citizenship remarks, instead redirecting to another guest about the “humanity” of the detention facility. It’s a deft dodge, sparing Sellers the on-air embarrassment he earned. But silence from the anchor doesn’t erase the misstep.
Sellers had previously slammed Trump on this issue in 2018 and 2019, showing a pattern of targeting the president without broader critique of others’ policies. His tunnel vision on Trump suggests less principle and more partisan axe-grinding. Consistency, it seems, isn’t his strong suit.
“Why is that not on the table right now?” Sellers asked, pushing for this baseless discussion. If he’s so keen on tables, perhaps he should lay out some evidence—or at least a coherent argument—before speaking next time.
A Narrative Over Facts Approach
From a conservative lens, Sellers’ rant smells of the progressive agenda’s obsession with identity politics over substance. While it’s fair to debate immigration policy, dragging family members into unfounded citizenship claims is a cheap shot, especially when the law is clear.
Still, there’s room for empathy—Sellers may genuinely believe he’s defending a cause with his critique of facilities like “Alligator Alcatraz.” But good intentions don’t excuse bad facts, and his stumble distracts from any valid points about detention conditions.
In the end, Sellers’ attempt to score points against Trump backfired, exposing more about his own credibility than the president’s family. If CNN wants to host serious policy discussions, they might consider pundits who prioritize accuracy over agenda. Until then, such segments remain more theater than insight.