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CNN host Anderson Cooper 'regrets' viral Trump election day insult

Ash Cant
Updated ·2-min read

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper has expressed his remorse after referring to Donald Trump as an “obese turtle” during the 2020 US election coverage.

Following Trump’s address on Thursday (local time), where many US networks cut the broadcast short due to the outgoing president’s baseless claims about electoral fraud, Cooper’s remarks went viral on social media.

“That is the President of the United States,” Cooper said following the address.

“That is the most powerful person in the world and we see him like an obese turtle on his back flailing in the hot sun, realising his time is over.”

CNN's Anderson Cooper called Donald Trump to an "obese turtle" during the networks election coverage on Thursday
On Thursday, CNN's Anderson Cooper compared Donald Trump to an "obese turtle". Source: CNN

Cooper was trending on Twitter following his comments, with some people finding his remarks hysterical while others pointed out they were insensitive.

“There's so many other ways to call out the Cheeto in Chief that don't resort to fatphobia,” one person tweeted.

“The president's horribleness isn't body related, I assure you,” someone else said.

Speaking to former Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang on CNN, Cooper admitted he regretted his words after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris claimed victory.

“I’m happy to say it seems like Trump is going to be, in your words, an obese turtle on his back just flailing around, Anderson,” Yang laughed, while Cooper did not appear to be remotely amused.

“While Joe and Kamala are already starting to put the work in to build the team to figure out how we’re going to address the coronavirus, the recession, and so many of the other problems.”

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper speaks with Andrew Yang via video.
Speaking with Andrew Yang on CNN, Anderson Cooper admitted he regretted his comments about Donald Trump. Source: CNN

After Yang finished speaking about whether Biden and Harris will have a unified senate with two upcoming runoff elections in Georgia, Cooper addressed his previous comments.

"By the way, I should say that I regret using those words, because that’s not the person I really want to be," Cooper admitted.

"It was in the heat of the moment and I regret it.”

Just like the remark itself, the apology divided people online, with some accepting it while others claimed it was not sincere.

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