The hosts of the popular liberal podcast 'I've Had It,' Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, have intensified their criticism of Turning Point USA following a viral controversy. The dispute began after the pair laughed at a social media post suggesting that the late activist's body would be exhumed. Although the hosts issued an apology earlier in the week, Sullivan recently told the conservative organization to go away, while Welch argued that their initial apology was driven by personal conviction rather than external pressure.
The backlash has resulted in significant financial losses for the show. Cash App, a major sponsor, announced it was ending its partnership with the podcast. In a social media statement, the company noted that it does not condone violence of any kind and is no longer a sponsor. Reports also indicate that luxury bedding brand Boll and Branch dropped its support. Andrew Kolvet from Turning Point USA claimed on X that several other advertisers had similarly withdrawn their backing.
A source from the office of a prominent nationally elected Democrat provided further details about the internal reaction. According to the source, Welch reached out for advice on managing the public fallout. The source described Welch as a 'sicko' and stated that she blamed Turning Point USA for the controversy instead of expressing remorse. The source estimated that the podcast lost tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorship revenue over the weekend and alleged that the team used ChatGPT to help formulate their response strategy.
Welch denied these specific claims in a text message to Fox News Digital. She stated that she had not spoken with a top Democrat and that the podcast did not use ChatGPT to craft its apology. 'Those are both wholly untrue,' Welch said. She acknowledged that the hosts laughed at an insensitive joke, regretted it, and had removed the segment from their platform. The podcast also donated to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun-control advocacy group.
In a video posted to their YouTube channel, Welch accused Turning Point USA of spearheading a cancellation campaign against the show. She described the conservative group as 'losers' who wanted to prove to their donors that they could cancel liberal voices. Welch explained that her apology was meant to keep her advocacy for gun reform clean, noting that she lost someone close to her to gun violence two years ago. She argued that the apology was for her own benefit, not for the conservative organization.
Sullivan joined in the criticism during the same discussion. She described Turning Point USA as a hateful organization and said she would not be lectured by them. Sullivan pointed out that the group supports congressional representatives who protect pedophiles and sex traffickers. She also criticized their stance on citizens being shot in Minnesota and the treatment of people in detention facilities.
The original controversy stemmed from an episode aired last week where the hosts read social media posts celebrating recent Democratic midterm victories. Both women laughed after Welch read a post that said they were digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again. During the segment, the hosts also suggested without evidence that Kirk's accused killer supported President Donald Trump. However, voter records showed the individual was unaffiliated and had not voted in the previous two general elections.
The hosts posted an apology on Saturday, stating that they should not have laughed at the insensitive joke and that there was nothing funny about gun violence. Despite their initial apology, the renewed attacks on Turning Point USA have kept the controversy in the public eye. Welch maintained that the podcast still has plenty of advertisers and is not going anywhere.
Criticism was not limited to conservatives. Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff also took issue with the hosts' remarks. He told Fox News Digital that they were not helping Democrats and were hijacking the attention that the party had earned at the ballot box. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between liberal media figures and conservative organizations in the current political landscape.
