AlterNet - 'Left-wing narrative': OK schools chief accuses CNN host of 'gaslighting' on pro-Trump prayer video



In Oklahoma, MAGA Republican Ryan Walters — state superintendent of public instruction and a far-right Christian nationalist — has ordered schools to show a pro-Donald Trump prayer video. Walters defended his position during a Monday, November 18 appearance on CNN, but he got some vehement pushback when host Pamela Brown repeatedly debunked his claims.

Walters declared, "I've continued to hear the gaslighting from the left, and frankly, even from this network pushing lies about what's going on across America. President Trump has a clear mandate. He wants prayer back in school. He wants radical leftism out of the classroom. He wants our kids to be patriotic want parents back in charge with school choice, we are acting upon that agenda here in Oklahoma."

But Brown pushed back against Walters' claim that CNN is "gaslighting" viewers, telling him, "I'm not going to take the bait about gaslighting on this network" and demanded to know where his "authority is specifically coming from."

During their testy back-and-forth exchange, Brown told the Oklahoma education superintendent, "As you know, thousands of people, including parents — who signed a petition to impeach you, with more than 14,000 signatures…. say this is government overreach, and you're taking control away from local parents, local school boards, and parents over their kids. What do you say to that, and where is your authority coming from to enforce this prayer video to be played in schools?"

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