A CNN anchor is facing sharp criticism online after making an on-air comment that appeared to gauge a Democratic politician’s presidential prospects based on how “Jewish” he might “read” to voters.
Elex Michaelson, a former Fox 11 host, made the remark during his midnight panel program on Tuesday as the show was heading into a commercial break.
The exchange came moments after guest Eric Messersmith, an independent, had been discussing Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff as a possible future presidential contender.
‘He is Jewish. He might be the Democrat that can thread the needle,’ Messersmith said, alluding to Ossoff’s previous criticism of the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
‘So, it’s possible that, I think, he could be – fill that lane in between the two extremes of the Democratic Party,’ he continued.
Los Angeles Republican Roxanne Beckford Hoge then jokingly noted that California State Senator Scott Wiener had been targeted by far-left protesters in his state the previous week because of his support for Israel.
‘Yes,’ Michaelson, 39, replied, before drawing a comparison between Ossoff’s potential path in a Democratic primary and that of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is also Jewish.
‘As a Jew, some people read a little more Jewish than other people,’ Michaelson said, before adding the remark that sparked backlash. ‘And Jon Ossoff may not read as Jewish as Josh Shapiro does, for whatever that’s worth.’
Former Fox 11 host Elex Michaelson made the remarks on his 12am panel-style show while cutting to a commercial with guests Roxanne Beckford Hoge and Eric Messersmith
![Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff 'read[s]' a little less 'Jewish' than other politicians, Michaelson said on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/07/02/21/109758117-15949121-image-m-36_1783023490466.jpg)
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff ‘read[s]’ a little less ‘Jewish’ than other politicians, Michaelson said on Tuesday
Both members of the panel nodded at the off-color remark, which initially flew somewhat under the radar.
However, a clip of the exchange posted by The Forward’s Jacob Kornbluh on Wednesday night quickly went viral.
‘Very disturbing that “how Jewish someone reads,” is being discussed as a liability for the Democrat party in the year 2026,’ wrote former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin on X.
‘CNN is now pandering to the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) candidates and their Jew hatred,’ fumed far-right influencer Laura Loomer, who is also Jewish. She warned that ‘both parties will make it so that Jews cannot run for office’ in the future.
Twitchy managing editor Sam Janney, after paraphrasing Michaelson’s comment, wondered: ‘Really, @CNN?’
Left-leaning pundit Owen Jones wrote, ‘This is utterly vile.’
‘What exactly are we doing?’ asked conservative Meghan McCain.
The Daily Mail has approached CNN for comment. The network hired Michaelson in September, following his departure from longtime home Fox 11 LA the month before.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro comes off as ‘more Jewish,’ the anchor said
The Story Is With Elex Michaelson has been broadcasting since October. He joined CNN from Fox’s LA affiliate the month before
Michaelson told followers and viewers at the time: ‘I’ve made the difficult decision to leave @FOXLA to pursue an exciting new opportunity… that I’m not allowed to talk about just yet.’
CNN announced his hiring a few weeks later.
His show, The Story Is With Elex Michaelson, is broadcast live.
