Simon Rosenberg, the president of the Democratic group NDN, removed his microphone while still on the air during a contentious Fox News interview on Wednesday, declaring he was “never coming back on this show ever again.”
The drama occurred live during Fox’s “Happening Now,” when Rosenberg and co-host Melissa Francis got into a heated exchange over tax reform and what could be added to the Republicans’ legislation to attract Democrats.
“You are doing talking points,” Francis said to Rosenberg.
“It is insulting you say that to me as if I don’t understand what I’m saying,” Rosenberg shot back.
“But you’re not answering the question,” Francis replied.
After some crosstalk, Rosenberg said Democrats will “never support” the framework of the current GOP proposal.
“I am answering the question. Democrats are not going to support tax reform that dramatically cuts taxes on people that don’t need tax cuts and prevents middle-class people from sharing in the benefits of these tax cuts while driving up the deficit,” Rosenberg said.
“We will never support that framework,” he continued. “So if they want to move, as Sen. [Ron] Wyden [D-Ore.] said, to a bipartisan approach, we are very open to staying focused on the middle class and not driving up the deficit. That’s what the Democrats want to do.”
Francis asked Rosenberg again if there was one thing Democrats would add to the bill to make it more agreeable.
“Simon, I asked you for one thing. Do you wanna give me one thing?” she asked.
After more crosstalk, Rosenberg concluded that “Democrats are not going to agree to a tax cut plan that overwhelmingly benefits wealthy people.”
“Repeating yourself isn’t helping the argument,” Francis said. “I’m asking you, like we’re asking everyone, to come to the table and try to offer something productive.”
Francis attempted to end the interview on a light note by telling Rosenberg they “can’t always fight like this” and that the two should “grab a drink sometime.”
“Melissa, don’t worry,” Rosenberg said.
“Because I’m never coming back on this show ever again, so it doesn’t really matter, thank you,” Rosenberg added as he removed his lapel microphone and earpiece while still on camera.
Rosenberg founded the centrist New Democrat Network in 1996. It has since rebranded itself as the NDN. Rosenberg previously worked on former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, and for the Democratic National Committee in the early years of Clinton’s presidency.
The debate comes on the same day Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Republican losses in Tuesday night’s gubernatorial elections put “more pressure on making sure we follow through” on the GOP drive to overhaul the tax code.
This story was updated at 10:40 a.m.