In a recent panel discussion, Scott Jennings, known as CNN’s conservative outlier, stirred controversy with a provocative comment regarding the Somali community in Minnesota. During the conversation, he drew a contentious parallel between a Democratic lawmaker’s choice to wear a headscarf and the dystopian themes of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Jennings took Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to task for appearing on a Somali television station. This appearance came at a time when the community was under scrutiny due to allegations of fraud involving some Somali-run daycare centers in Minneapolis, accused of misappropriating government funds.

As the discussion progressed, host Abby Phillip sought the panelists’ concluding thoughts on the matter. Jennings seized this moment to criticize Minnesota Democrats, accusing them of pandering to the Somali population.

Despite Minnesota being home to the largest Somali diaspora in the United States, Jennings contended that this community accounts for only a minor fraction of the state’s entire demographic profile.

“You have to admit, the extent to which Democrats cater to the Somali community is somewhat peculiar, don’t you think?” Jennings posed to the panel, highlighting what he perceives as an unusual political focus.

‘You got to admit, though – the catering to the Somali community that goes on by the Democrats is a little weird, is it not?’ he questioned. 

‘They got the lieutenant governor up there dressed like The Handmaid’s Tale,’ Jennings continued. 

The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel by Margaret Atwood that depicts a totalitarian society in which women are treated as property of the state. 

CNN conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, caused a stir when he slammed Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for wearing a headscarf during an appearance on Somali-language television 

Flanagan’s team said in a statement that she was given the headscarf by a friend and briefly wore it while speaking with the Somali community 

Jennings told the panel: ‘You got to admit, though – the catering to the Somali community that goes on by the Democrats is a little weird, is it not? They got the lieutenant governor up there dressed like The Handmaid’s Tale’ 

The book was later adapted into an Emmy Award-winning television series starring Elizabeth Moss. 

In the series, the female characters wear white bonnets, which symbolize the oppressive regime they live under. 

The comment generated a tense reaction from the other panelists, with one condemning Jennings’s remarks as ‘out of line.’ 

Phillip quickly interjected, insinuating that Jennings’ statement was racially insensitive. 

As the panelists talked over one another, Philip pointed out that it wouldn’t be acceptable for a similar statement about Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn. 

‘You’re describing the type of dress as The Handmaid’s Tale, and you’re doing that to denigrate the religion of a group of people,’ Philip continued. 

‘It wouldn’t be acceptable if you did it with another group. So don’t – just don’t do it when it comes to Muslim people, that’s not okay.’ 

Jennings argued that Flanagan wasn’t a Muslim woman, and he was attempting to point out that Minnesota Democrats put the Somali community at the ‘center’ of their party. 

CNN host Abby Philip condemned Jennings’ comments and accused him of ‘denigrating’ a religion 

Jennings accused Minnesota lawmakers, including Flanagan and Governor Tim Walz (pictured) of putting the Somali community at the center of their party 

‘It’s a small portion of the population. There’s a bunch of fraud that goes on, and even Tim Walz has claimed that any investigation of fraud is akin to white supremacy,’ Jennings said. 

Philip fired back that Walz never made that claim, and that the governor encouraged investigations into the alleged fraud involving Somali migrants.  

‘While the Lt. Governor was showing her support for small businesses and communities being terrorized by ICE, she was handed a scarf by a friend and briefly wore it out of respect,’ a spokesperson for Flanagan told the Daily Mail. 

‘The real outrage should not be a scarf, but masked men throwing American citizens into vans and violating the constitution.’

Flanagan had worn the headscarf during a tour of the Karmel Market, a hub for the Somali community in Minneapolis. 

Flanagan is currently serving as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor but is running for the US Senate 

‘I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,’ Flanagan said in a video aired on Somali-language television. 

‘Being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota,’ she continued.

‘So, I wanted to encourage the community to just know that we’re with you, we’ve got your back.’

Flanagan is currently serving under Governor Tim Walz, but is running for the US Senate. 

She is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and is the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office.