Insiders suggest that Dylan Douglas, the son of Hollywood stars Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is hesitant to return to CNN following a heated exchange with commentator Scott Jennings last year. At 26, Dylan, who is both an actor and a political radio host, was reportedly unsettled by the on-air debate. According to Hollywood insider Rob Shuter, Douglas has made it clear that he is steering clear of any confrontational interviews, particularly with networks like CNN, where he might face tough questioning. The incident in question took place in November when Douglas, faced with challenging questions from Jennings about the Affordable Care Act, found himself faltering.

The conversation was focused on the potential expiration of healthcare subsidies if the Senate failed to pass a funding bill to reopen the government. During the discussion, Douglas attempted to pin the blame for the government shutdown on Republicans. “Scott, with all respect, you cannot put on the American people that Democrats were the ones that were hurting people, making this plight,” Douglas stated. However, Jennings countered by repeatedly asking, “Who was casting the votes against opening the government, Democrats or Republicans?” This left Douglas stumbling over his responses, and the exchange quickly became fodder for conservative commentary on social media.

Following the contentious CNN appearance, reports surfaced indicating that Douglas’s parents, both Academy Award winners, were angered by the ordeal, accusing the network of unfair treatment. “Dylan’s never been spoken to like that in his entire life. He’s always been the golden boy – adored, protected,” commented a source at the time. According to Shuter’s latest updates, Douglas remains affected by the experience and has expressed a strong aversion to similar encounters, stating that a return to mainstream cable news is off the table for now.

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.’

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.