Dylan Douglas, the son of Hollywood icons Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is reportedly hesitant to make a return to CNN following an intense exchange with commentator Scott Jennings last year, sources suggest.

Known for his roles as an actor and political radio host, the 26-year-old Douglas was allegedly so rattled by the encounter that he has decided to steer clear of challenging interviews, according to a report by Hollywood insider Rob Shuter on Substack.

Insiders close to Douglas have indicated that he has made a firm decision to avoid any media appearances where he might face tough questioning, including platforms like CNN, where he was previously caught off guard.

The controversial moment took place during a live segment in November, where Douglas, a scion of Hollywood fame, struggled to hold his ground in a debate with Jennings regarding the Affordable Care Act.

The heated discussion revolved around the potential expiration of healthcare subsidies in the event of a Senate failure to pass a crucial funding bill, with Douglas attempting to shift the blame for the government shutdown onto Republicans.

“Scott, with all respect, you cannot put on the American people that Democrats were the ones causing harm,” Dylan asserted during the broadcast.

Jennings responded by asking: ‘Who was casting the votes against opening the government, Democrats or Republicans?’

Douglas proceeded to stutter over his talking points as Jennings repeated the question to him multiple times, and the young actor was ridiculed by conservatives on social media following the broadcast. 

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s son Dylan Douglas (seen together in 2025) is ‘too spooked’ to return to CNN after he was eviscerated by Scott Jennings last year, insiders say

The incident that supposedly spooked Douglas unfolded on the air in November, when the heir to Hollywood royalty was left stumbling over his words as he sparred with Scott Jennings over the Affordable Care Act

In the aftermath of Douglas’s CNN confrontation, Shuter reported at the time that his Oscar-winning parents were left outraged by the debate, and accused CNN of being ‘unfair and exploitative.’ 

‘Dylan’s never been spoken to like that in his entire life. He’s always been the golden boy – adored, protected,’ a source said at the time. 

And according to the gossip columnist’s latest Substack on the fallout, Douglas has not gotten over the clash. 

Douglas has reportedly said he ‘doesn’t want to feel that again’ after being challenged on the air, and he now says that returning to ‘mainstream cable is a hard no.’ 

However, the 26-year-old is not intending to step back from the spotlight, sources said, but he is instead focused on his radio shows on SiriusXM, because he ‘wants control, total control.’ 

‘He’s only doing shows where they adore him… He thinks he’s the next Rachel Maddow,’ the insider added. 

‘He’s lived in Michael and Catherine’s shadow forever, now, he’s center stage, and he’s not letting anyone knock him off it,’ a family friend said. 

Another insider reportedly told Shuter: ‘He wants applause, not analysis. CNN represents scrutiny — and that scares him.’ 

Dylan’s CNN confrontation reportedly left his Oscar-winning actress mom Catherine Zeta-Jones outraged, accusing CNN of being ‘unfair and exploitative’

According to insiders, Dylan has no plans to step away from the spotlight, and through hosting his own radio show he reportedly ‘thinks he’s the next Rachel Maddow’ 

Following the reported outrage from Zeta-Jones over Jennings’ takedown of her son on CNN last year, the Republican commentator offered to apologize to the actress in a tongue-in-cheek follow up interview. 

Speaking to Meghan McCain on her podcast Citizen McCain, Jennings said he was surprised that the Hollywood couple were so incensed by the political debate. 

‘I’m more than willing to apologize personally to Catherine Zeta-Jones over a nice seafood dinner if she wants to do it,’ he cheekily remarked. 

‘Actually, I have to say Dylan was really nice off the air,’ he continued. ‘I think he was honored to be there.’

‘We had what is relatively a normal exchange,’ Jennings then insisted. ‘He made his Democratic talking points. I dismantled him. Not an uncommon thing to happen on CNN.’

When he then saw that Zeta-Jones and Michael were livid about the segment, Jennings reiterated that he was ‘surprised.’

‘But I think that what happens with some of these folks is that they exist in a very tight little bubble. They never really talk to Republicans or conservatives. They don’t really get outside of their bubbles, where people tell them how smart and good-looking they are.

‘And then they wind up on television with someone of a different persuasion, and it’s surprising to them.’

‘I hope Dylan comes back,’ Jennings added. ‘I’m sure he’ll get better at it.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted Douglas for comment.