'Gutfeld!' roasts Adam Kinzinger's new CNN gig: 'Just another kind of grift'
Former Jan. 6 committee Republican made his CNN debut on 'Erin Burnett Outfront' last week
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger started his new job as a CNN senior political commentator Wednesday, prompting mockery from critics on the predictable career move from the outspoken anti-Trump politician.
On "Gutfeld!" Monday night, host Greg Gutfeld and his panel slammed the cable news network for the hire.
"[This is] shocking no one and proving their network is still intent on making people vomit," Gutfeld joked.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The congressman, who was one of two Republicans serving on the Jan. 6 committee, had joined the network several times over the past two years. After not seeking re-election in 2022, Kinzinger made his debut as a CNN contributor on "Erin Burnett Outfront."
Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois, speaks during a hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Gutfeld argued Kinzinger will have the opposite effect on the network's goal of attracting an audience across the political aisle.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This is not a Republican that would attract Republicans," he said. "This is a Republican that attracts more Democrats, more liberals, more Trump derangement syndrome. So it is interesting. They have undermined their own message."
"Fox & Friends First" host Todd Piro added ironically, "CNN's stated goal right was to appeal to the pro-Trump half of the country with their new lineup. Bang up job, guys. You really nailed this one."
Adam Kinzinger makes his debut as a CNN contributor on "Erin Burnett Outfront" just days after leaving Congress. (Screenshot/CNN)
Fox News analyst Kat Timpf echoed Gutfeld's point, noting Kinzinger does "everything that Democrats do" despite presenting himself as a Republican.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He's one of those Republican 'buts'… he says everything that Democrats do, but he starts it with, 'Look, I'm a Republican,' but then he just uses Democratic talking points and he gets to present himself as this brave, principled person," she said.
"Really, it's just another kind of grift. It's not an original thought. It's all Democrats' thoughts with just one little phrase tacked on to the beginning of it."
Critics have argued Kinzinger's appearances and anti-Trump commentary alluded to future aspirations to join the liberal network. He now joins CNN's roster of so-called "Never-Trump Republicans" including Ana Navarro, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and former Rep. Charlie Dent.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Kinzinger was one of the 10 GOP lawmakers who supported former President Trump's impeachment following the events of Jan. 6.
The former Illinois representative announced in October 2021 that he was retiring though he would have faced an uphill battle for re-election due to redistricting.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.