CNBC's Mad Money host Jim Cramer is facing backlash after referring to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with one of President Donald Trump's favorite insults.
During a live interview Tuesday morning, Cramer called the California Democrat "crazy Nancy."
You can see the clip here:
Cramer quickly blamed his comment on President Donald Trump.
The two were discussing a comment Pelosi had made, about being optimistic of the chances for making a deal with the White House and the GOP for further pandemic relief.
Cramer said:
"Really? I mean, I thought I'd take it right off the table right this very minute."
"You've got [White House Chief of Staff] Mark Meadow [sic] going and saying he was the skunk at the party. He didn't really—you know, he's gotten in the way between you and, I think, Secretary Mnuchin."
"I mean, what deal can we have, Crazy Nancy?"
The CNBC host immediately added:
"I'm sorry, I—that was the President."
"I have such reverence for the office, I would never use that term."
Speaker Pelosi replied:
"But you just did."
Pelosi laughed then repeated:
"But you just did."
People on social media weren't quite so willing to cut Cramer any slack for repeating one of Trump's insults.
Jim Cramer should be drug tested before every show. pic.twitter.com/VgppF2OMgF
— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) September 15, 2020
I wish I could comment but I used up my September quota of “WTAF is wrong with these people" before Labor Day. 🤦🏻♀️
— Honorable Shannon Resisting (@richones1) September 15, 2020
My wife, used to work as a model taught me The "you-know-what-I-mean" line is the most condescending line you can say to a woman who is of higher stature than you and flat out disrespectful to any woman which is used as cover to demean.
But Jim picked the wrong woman this time.
— YS (@NYinLA2121) September 15, 2020
"You-Know-what-I-Mean" is used by photographers who think they are working with amateur models to marketing VP's for designer labels to get the woman to do another inch off the shoulder, push the boobs together, etc. I saw it with my own eyes and then noticed it in my workplace.
— YS (@NYinLA2121) September 15, 2020
Men should take that line "you-know-what-i-mean" and remove it from their vernacular; it creates such tension on so many multiple levels and it creeps me out hearing that line cause its the gateway-drug to further debasement of women in other areas.
Cut this shit out guys.
— YS (@NYinLA2121) September 15, 2020
Jim Cramer should not have a show to speak of anymore. How far have we fallen that a 3rd rate tv personality can be that uncivil to the Speaker of the House and not be shown the door immediately. Again, trump has been normalized and the media is equally at fault
— Benjamin Jones (@bjones9677) September 15, 2020
He should be suspended immediately
— Scott 🏈🌊 Resist! (@ssdistancer) September 15, 2020
Combative white men. They are the media lifeblood.
— Mother Nature Strikes Back! (@NMblondewino) September 15, 2020
Agreed! There is no place for this. But he won't be fired. Just like Tucker should have been fired weeks ago for his remarks. News, on both sides, has become so personal and it needs to end.
— Sean Kavanaugh (@SeanKavanaugh5) September 15, 2020
Cramer took to his own social media to plead his case.
Did anyone bother to listen to the whole interview? It was about how horrendous it is that the president calls Speaker Pelosi Crazy Nancy. It is so unfortunate and ill-advised. The people criticizing me must not have realized the point! NEVER should she be called that
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
It disgusts me that she is called "crazy Nancy." She has spent her whole life in public services. My critics didn't listen to why i mentioned it-because it is horrifying.
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
He again invoked the POTUS as his defense.
When you criticize the president by mentioning what he calls the Speaker of the House, you should not be criticized for mentioning the terrible name he calls her. https://t.co/Og90jxvKHr
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
what deal can we have when the president-not me--calls her Crazy Nancy? She is the Speaker of the House for heaven's sake. fire away if you didn't know that's what he calls her
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
i am astonished that the president calls her that..Go call for my firing. And then go listen to the tape. https://t.co/A1HQHr5YCE
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
you know what i love? the president goes unchecked, calls her Crazy forever. I call it as as horrible and i am called out for doing so here. What a travesty...
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
I am surprised at you, Tony. The point was to show how horrendous it is that the president calls her Tony. Did you really watch the interview? Did you see that the point was to say there
can't be a deal with a president who calls the Speaker crazy? I expect more of you. https://t.co/ubbuzJ5l1o
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
I challenge anyone to listen to the interview and think i wasn't imitating what the president says and how repulsive i find it.. I said that three times. I apologized for the implication twice. Who put out the quote without the context? what organization?
— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) September 15, 2020
So @jimcramer says he was implicitly criticizing Trump for calling @SpeakerPelosi "Crazy Nancy." Watch the interview and judge for yourself. The Speaker was gracious and accepted his explanation. https://t.co/p0Lib3eIJo
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) September 15, 2020
The Time's Up organization stated regardless of Cramer's reasons, journalists should not amplify labels that demean women.
Whether @JimCramer meant to insult Nancy Pelosi or simply refer to Trump's disparaging attacks, the harmful effects are the same.
We're calling on journalists to stop circulating sexist labels that betray women's skills, insights, & lived experiences as leaders. #WeHaveHerBack https://t.co/GLMSH6ffV4
— TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) September 15, 2020
CNBC has not yet made a statement regarding what, if any, action will be taken regarding Cramer's comment.
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