Rep. Todd Rokita Tells CNN Anchor, 'You're Beautiful but Have to be Honest,' Causing Cries of Sexism
Republican Congressman Todd Rokita is in the hot seat after an interview with CNN anchor Carol Costello. Rokita called Costello "beautiful" and mentioned her looks several times, which many saw as sexist. Rokita has issued a statement in rebuttal to the claims in which he maintains he was just trying to be friendly and intended "no offense."
"I don't know if you have children yet; I'm sure you don't have grandchildren yet, you look much too young, but we're fighting for them," Rokita said during the interview when questioned about his stance on the government shutdown. "Carol, do you have any idea how much this law is going to cost?"
"Do you know how much it costs every day the government is partially shut down? You're costing taxpayers millions and millions of dollars!" Costello responded.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Rokita defended his feelings and actions regarding the shutdown, which he fully supported. He also claimed that Obamacare is "one of the most insidious laws ever developed by men" and will hurt the United States "much more than any government shutdown."
Costello then switched topics and focused on the upcoming debt ceiling debate that is scheduled to take place later this month.
"I had a lot of CEOs in my office yesterday, and they didn't share the same vision with me that some CEOs apparently shared with the president," Rokita said.
"I think most Americans would say fight that fight separate from the federal budget. Don't partially shut down the government, don't make things worse by fighting the same fight over and over," Costello responded.
"Carol, you're beautiful but you need to be honest as well," Rokita said, causing Costello to raise her eyebrows. Since then, the congressman issued a statement about the encounter and his comments.
"At the end of a spirited and very important debate, I was simply keeping it from unnecessarily ending in an unfriendly or contentious way. I intended no offense to Ms. Costello," the statement read.
Costello issued her own statement, saying the congressman "seemed frustrated" and "was trying to deflect these questions with 'flattery.' No, I do not think it's appropriate for a sitting Congressman to use such tactics in any interview with a journalist."
