My top 2024 takeaways by Scott Jennings, CNN’s ‘Black Sheep’

New York

“Black Sheep.” Not a nickname I expected, but my friends and family get a kick out of the Daily Mail’s moniker for me following a series of viral CNN moments. It’s more accurate than “Lonely Scott,” which Bill Maher applied after watching our network’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention. I am anything but lonely these days.

In the wee hours following Donald Trump’s win over Kamala Harris, I impatiently wait my turn on CNN to explain what happened. “The revenge of the regular ol’ working class American, who has been crushed, insulted, condescended to — they’re not garbage, they’re not Nazis, they’re just regular people who get up and go to work every day and are trying to make a better life for their kids and they feel like they have been told to just shut up.” I’m stunned
by the immediate response; the soliloquy ricochets around the world, racking up tens of millions of views. That afternoon, a lengthy trek up Manhattan’s Upper West Side with CNN debating partner David Axelrod ends at Barney Greengrass, a legendary deli that doesn’t disappoint. We discuss the election and eat our weight in sturgeon. Axe has become a good friend and mentor. Our frequent NYC walk-and-talks will forever permeate my Election 2024 memories.

The following evening, I’m in the makeup chair prepping for a CNN appearance and watching the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge. My Kentucky baking friend Courtney wins the season premiere! I trigger some unhinged comedian in the 10 p.m. show afterward.

On November 9, I have a DC dinner with a close friend, who also invites historian James Swanson, author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. The book was made into an Apple TV+ miniseries. I order his two bestselling children’s books about the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations.

A week later, I’m namedropped on Fox News by Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times. He says he wants “people like Scott Jennings” to rebalance the newspaper’s editorial board. I agree to join a couple of weeks later. I don’t have all the details just yet, but what the hell. Should be fun. Pat’s a hoot and a visionary.

I head to Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks play the Wizards before an appearance on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip (the show I do every Monday and Tuesday). I enjoy fist-bumping and taking pics with fans on the concourse; they talk about watching the viral CNN clips online. I trigger “White Dude for Harris” Paul Rieckhoff during that night’s CNN appearance. He predicts Trump will parachute the 82nd Airborne into Manhattan to round up American citizens. Another guest claims the military will shoot her while she protests deportations. Everyone needs to take a deep breath.

The week before Thanksgiving, I head to morning soccer with my two youngest, then take advantage of the unseasonably warm Kentucky day to erect my hefty collection of Christmas inflatables. One is a nine-foot-tall rooster, an homage to our thirty backyard hens. I string up lights and decorate trees the following weekend.

Another show, another massively viral moment. I defend Elon Musk’s ownership of X as the most ideologically balanced social media platform. Another panelist demands to know the source of my claim; I reveal that it came from CNN colleague Harry Enten. Later that week, I tape a CNN segment with friend and colleague Van Jones on how to argue politics at Thanksgiving dinner. I don a pilgrim hat for our “stuffing versus dressing” debate.

Three straight days of baseball training with my oldest over Thanksgiving. The kid throws hard but needs to learn control before he kills someone, chiefly me! If there’s a better hitting pundit, I don’t know them: even at forty-seven, I hit bombs like I’m still a Dawson Springs High School Purple Panther.

In the first week of December, I have two speaking engagements in the Big Apple. The first is at Brunswick, one of the world’s top public affairs firms. I see old Republican running buddies Raul Damas and Lanhee Chen. Then, a wonderful treat: I speak to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) with fellow CNN commentator Paul Begala. The old Democratic communications guru still has his fastball; there are no free rides when debating this legend. I always wear my yellow ribbon on-air and steadfastly support Israel in its war against the enemies of Western civilization. Back on the air, a fellow panelist says Joe Biden was right to pardon Hunter because Trump plans to use “firing squads.” I wonder – would a pardon really stop someone who planned a firing squad? I roll my eyes so hard I nearly break my neck. The following day, I guest-host Mike Gallagher’s national radio show on the Salem Network. I started my career as a radio news anchor in Louisville, Kentucky, and never miss a chance to get behind the microphone.

The Black Sheep’s 2024 takeaway? The American people are tired of having the wool pulled over their eyes by Democrats.

This article was originally published in The Spectator’s January 2025 World edition.