Abby Phillip Confronts Jillian Michaels on Slavery Comments

A recent segment on CNN’s “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” turned heated when fitness personality Jillian Michaels weighed in on discussions about cultural identity and museum exhibits. Michaels expressed frustration with what she perceived as a biased portrayal of history, particularly concerning race and slavery.

Michaels Criticizes Smithsonian Exhibits

Michaels specifically targeted exhibits at the National Museum of American History, claiming they unfairly blamed white people for historical injustices like imperialism and racism. She argued that museums tend to “tie imperialism and racism and slavery to just one race,” which she felt was inaccurate.

When host Abby Phillip attempted to steer the conversation back to the specific exhibits, Michaels retorted, “Of course we don’t, because then you’re going to lose the argument, and everything is racialized just like you’re trying to do to me now!” Phillip, taken aback, reminded Michaels that she herself had brought up slavery.

Downplaying the Prevalence of Slavery

The discussion intensified when Michaels attempted to minimize the significance of slavery in American history. She stated, “Only less than 2 percent of white Americans owned slaves!” This comment drew immediate pushback from Phillip and other panelists, who pointed out that white supremacy was the root cause of slavery and its lingering effects.

Michaels continued to argue that the framing of historical events often places blame disproportionately on white people, suggesting that the extent to which Black life in America is tied to slavery, and the implication of white supremacy in broader struggles for rights, might be overstated.

A Divisive Rhetoric

Michaels’ attempt to downplay slavery’s impact and its connection to white America has been widely criticized as divisive rhetoric. While she later tried to clarify her stance on social media, her initial comments on a national platform sparked significant debate about how America confronts its history and the role of race in shaping national narratives.