HuffPost Live host Marc Lamont Hill seemed to get emotional Wednesday on Don Lemon’s “CNN Tonight,” as the panel discussed the child molestation scandal surrounding TLC show “19 Kids and Counting.”
The panel debated conservative support of the show’s evangelical Duggar family, whose eldest child Josh has admitted to acting “inexcusably” while a teenager.
“What he did was awful. There should be punishment, there should be justice, there should be all of those things,” said Hill, who is also a CNN political commentator. As tears began streaming down his face, he added, “But I also think a lot of families live in denial about sexual assault and sexual abuse — not just famous families, but regular families.”
Hill was responding to conservative political commentator Ben Ferguson, who said, “You have a family that cared more about protecting the brand of this family and being a total fraud than they did about the welfare of children that were being abused by one of their own.”
As the conversation turned to GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who recently said he supports Josh Duggar and that “good people make mistakes,” Hill appeared particularly incensed and his eyes filled with tears.
Shortly after the segment aired, “CNN Tonight” tweeted, “An emotional topic, and an emotional response. Guests @marclamonthill & @benfergusonshow discussing #DuggarScandal.”
Hill retweeted the “CNN Tonight” account, and said, “LMAO. Yes. I was overcome with emotion!”
LMAO. Yes. I was overcome with emotion! https://t.co/KH6p23VpFU
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 28, 2015
A minute later, Hill followed up with another tweet saying something had gotten in his eye: “And no, the Duggars and @donlemon didn’t make me cry. Something irritated my eye. I took care of it once the camera left me for a sec.”
And no, the Duggars and @donlemon didn’t make me cry. Something irritated my eye. I took care of it once the camera left me for a sec. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 28, 2015
Since the “19 Kids and Counting” molestation scandal began unfolding a week ago, TLC has removed the reality series from its schedule. Several advertisers have also dumped the show, including Walgreens, Payless and Choice Hotels.