On Tuesday, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings and “The View” co-host Ana Navarro debated the future of the Republican Party at a Dartmouth Political union event. The pair took opposing sides — Jennings answering in the affirmative and Navarro in the negative — on the following resolution: “By and large, the current trends in the Republican Party during the Trump years will continue in the 2028 election and beyond.”
Dartmouth Dialogues co-hosted the event, titled “The Future of the GOP: Ana Navarro v. Scott Jennings.” Approximately 115 attendees attended the debate in Filene Auditorium, with another 70 watching the debate virtually, according to DPU ambassador Jack Coleman ’26. Coleman moderated the event.
Jennings, who said he supports President Donald Trump, began the debate by noting that he’s “proud to be a Republican.”
“I think the Republicans are best for America,” Jennings said. “I particularly think that, in these days, the Democratic Party and the progressive left in this country has long lost its mind on a number of issues.”
On economic policy, Jennings said that Trump’s tariffs were a “powerful tool for reinvigorating American manufacturing.”
“Middle America was left behind by free trade policies that were supposed to bring economic prosperity but brought nothing but a hollowing out of communities that once were thriving,” Jennings said. “Certainly where I come from in western Kentucky, that’s exactly how people feel.”
Navarro said that Trump’s use of tariffs was “extortion,” although she acknowledged that they had facilitated several deals between the United States and its trade partners.
“Whether I like [tariffs] or not, [Trump] has managed to bring countries to the table and force them to make deals — with some very notable exceptions,” Navarro said. “He’s also caused great pain to some particular sections and sectors of our economy.”
On immigration, Navarro said Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations have gone “too far.” She added that Trump’s immigration policies may cause him to lose support among Hispanic voters.
“There’s been a significant double digit shift in Hispanic support,” Navarro said. “They’re seeing the cruelty with which [ICE activity] is being perpetuated and enforced.”
Jennings said he is “disappointed” with Trump’s immigration policies in that he felt that immigration enforcement had not been carried out “fast enough.” He said he wanted Trump to take action against protesters in Minneapolis, Minn., who are demonstrating against ICE activity.
“These people are living out a fantasy that somehow the federal government doesn’t apply to them in Minneapolis,” Jennings said. “The president really ought to put down this rebellion.”
On foreign policy, Jennings said that Trump is “reasserting control” over the Western hemisphere.
“It’s good for us to intervene when it’s in our best interest,” Jennings said.
Navarro said that the Trump administration’s raid to capture Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was “a good thing,” but added that she considered other aspects of President Trump’s foreign policy to be “childish and crazy.”
“Him being mad at the leader of Norway because he didn’t get the Nobel Peace Prize is incredibly infantile,” Navarro said.
Attendee Gigi Kiyabu ’29 said that while she was not a conservative, she still “thoroughly enjoyed” the event.
“I do appreciate hearing conservative point[s] of view,” Kiyabu said. “I just wanted to hear a different perspective.”
DPU ambassador Maya Spektorov ’28 said that the DPU helps students to “hear different opinions and challenge [themselves].”
“By bringing in speakers from all different types of backgrounds and opinions, we welcome students to also embrace people with backgrounds and opinions,” Spektorov said.
