Tensions flared on CNN’s Table for Five Saturday morning when contributor S.E. Cupp sharply criticized fellow panelist Scott Jennings for defending the Trump administration’s decision to cut a specialized LGBTQ+ option from the national suicide prevention hotline.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced earlier this week that the “Press 3” option—directing LGBTQ+ callers to specialized counselors through the 988 suicide hotline—will be discontinued starting July 17.
CNN host Sara Sidner questioned the rationale behind cutting a service aimed at a group with disproportionately high suicide rates. “Why do this to a population who has a very long history of having more suicides than the general population?” she asked.
Jennings responded, saying, “The 988 hotline is still operational. What’s being cut is the government’s partnership with the Trevor Project, which some conservatives oppose due to its approach with young callers and the ideology it promotes.”
That prompted a sharp rebuttal from Cupp: “So you’re admitting it’s political,” she said.
Jennings pushed back, arguing that the core hotline remains intact and callers can still reach help, but Cupp wasn’t convinced.
She stressed the importance of tailored support for LGBTQ+ individuals, noting, “This was a lifeline for a very specific group of people. These are individuals who often feel ashamed or unable to talk to family or friends. They need counselors who truly understand their unique challenges.”
Cupp concluded by calling the decision “cruel” and politically motivated, pointing out that removing specialized support strips vital resources from an already vulnerable community.
