Watch Dennis Rodman melt down live on CNN
In the middle of a widely publicized and widely criticized visit to North Korea with numerous other ex-pro players, Dennis Rodman screamed at CNN host Chris Cuomo.
Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman had a screaming fit on Tuesday during an interview on CNN. In Pyongyang, North Korea with his “All-Star team,” Rodman was questioned by host Chris Cuomo about whether or not he and his group of ex-pro players should be traveling there. Rodman and co. are supposed to play an exhibition game on Wednesday, the birthday of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
When Cuomo brought up American citizen Kenneth Bae, who is being held captive in North Korea, Rodman became defensive, suggesting that Bae had done something wrong but not getting into any specifics. From CNN’s story:
Growing angry with Cuomo and jabbing his finger toward the camera for emphasis, Rodman said, “Kenneth Bae did one thing ... If you understand what Kenneth Bae did. Do you understand what he did in this country? No, no, no, you tell me, you tell me. Why is he held captive here in this country, why? ... I would love to speak on this.
…
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what the hell you think. I’m saying to you, look at these guys here, look at them ... they dared to do one thing, they came here.”
Fellow player Charles D. Smith tried to calm the discussion but Rodman carried on, becoming increasingly agitated.
“Ain’t no shill ... let me do this,” he said to Smith, shaking his hand from his arm. Addressing Cuomo, he continued, “Really? Really? I want to tell you one thing. People round the world, around the world, I wanna do one thing.
”You’re the guy behind the mic right now. We’re the guys here doing one thing. We have to go back to America and take the abuse. Do you have to take the abuse that we’re gonna take? Do you sir, are you going to take the abuse?
Throughout the interview, Rodman deflected questions about North Korea’s actions and said that he and his group were trying to do a positive thing. Smith tried to help by speaking calmly, downplaying Rodman calling Kim a “friend” and apologizing for “the storm that has been created by our presence.”
This is Rodman’s fourth trip to North Korea as part of his “basketball diplomacy” project.
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