UPDATE: Tensions escalated during a heated segment of Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” on July 11, 2023, as host Jesse Watters and Democrat strategist Mike Nellis engaged in a fiery shouting match over President Donald Trump‘s proposals to send the National Guard to Chicago. The explosive exchange, which has gone viral, highlights the deep divides over crime and leadership in major U.S. cities.
Nellis, a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and founder of the group “White Dudes for Harris,” confronted Watters about Trump’s repeated failures in Chicago, stating, “Chicago has had the chance to vote for Donald Trump three times and he lost by 80% each of the three times he was on the ballot.” His argument emphasized that Trump’s focus should shift to red states grappling with severe issues, including Louisiana, the “murder capital of the United States,” and Oklahoma, known for its failing schools.
Watters interrupted Nellis, insisting that Chicago deserves attention and questioning the city’s leadership under Mayor Brandon Johnson. Watters exclaimed, “Chicago’s a little bigger than Baton Rouge, Mike. You live in Chicago, you should care!” He criticized Johnson for rejecting offers of additional police presence, declaring, “They’re offering him more cops, more guards, and he says ‘No, more housing.’ What the hell’s wrong with him?”
Nellis, trying to maintain his composure, articulated his concerns about community safety, saying, “I’m not gonna feel safe in my city if, when I take my son to school, I have to drive by a tank.” This emotional plea underscored the conflicting views on how to address crime effectively in urban areas.
The exchange, which has sparked considerable online discussion, saw Nellis later posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Seems I triggered @JesseBWatters a bit tonight,” and emphasized, “I told Donald Trump to stay the f— out of Chicago and focus on the emergencies in Republican cities and states, and Jesse Watters did not like it.”
Critically, the cities Trump has targeted for military involvement—Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and New York—are predominantly Democratic. Yet, an analysis by Axios indicates that many cities with the highest murder rates are actually in red states, including Jackson and Birmingham. This raises questions about the underlying motivations for Trump’s focus on certain urban areas.
As the conversation surrounding Trump’s potential military actions continues, viewers and political analysts alike will be watching closely. With law enforcement strategies and community safety at the forefront of public discourse, the implications of this debate resonate deeply with urban residents across America.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.