CNN bursts into laughs as Republican confronted with conservative's searing Trump critique

A Republican strategist’s reaction during a live CNN broadcast drew laughter after he was pressed on a sharp conservative critique of President Donald Trump

During a segment on CNN Friday, host Kasie Hunt called attention to GOP strategist Brad Todd’s visible discomfort as the discussion turned to Trump’s growing tensions with Pope Leo XIV.

“Brad Todd, this back and forth between the president and the pope — your face! I feel like everyone should see Brad’s face,” Hunt said through chuckles. “I’m taking a lot from your face, but if you could kind of let our viewers into how you are thinking about this.”

Before Todd responded, CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams noted that Xochitl Hinojosa, a former DNC official, “burst out into laughter.”

“She’s loving this,” Williams added.

Todd responded by referencing former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan, noting her perspective on the historic relationship between the presidency and the papacy.

“The president should not be picking a fight with the pope,” Todd said. He argued that Trump risks alienating Catholic voters, a group he said has increasingly shifted toward Republicans in recent years. “I think trying to divide Catholics and make them pick between their president and their pope is bad politics.”

“It’s the pope' s job to stand up for Catholic teaching,” Todd added, while emphasizing that political leaders and religious figures “need to know their lane.”