'Are you serious?' Fed-up CNN anchor clashes with guest over DOGE cuts

Investor James Fishback, who first proposed paying Americans "restitution" from the government savings rooted out by DOGE, danced around CNN anchor Brianna Keilar's question about the wisdom of sending each American a $5,000 check.

Fishback has made the rounds on cable news to promote his plan for "DOGE dividends." Over the weekend, CNN's Michael Smerconish called it a "Ponzi scheme."

Keilar began, "If you're talking about paying down the debt and being fiscally conservative here, we just need to be clear about what this is, because I think a lot of people think a check would be nice. Who doesn't think that, right? But when you're thinking about fiscal concerns — because this is certainly being marketed as if you're paying people like 20% of a surplus that you have — but that's not what it is. It's really like if you had a $36 trillion credit card bill and you had enough money that you'd save to pay off maybe something modestly more than the minimum payment, but you decided to take 20% of what you could pay and pocket it. That's really what it's more like, and I don't think people understand that."

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Fishback shot back, "Where is this newfound focus on fiscal responsibility at CNN? With all due respect, are you opposed to sending Ukraine new money because we're a national debt as well?"

Keilar tried to steer him back to her question.

"I'm asking you a question about fiscal conservatism right now and the budget," she said.

Fishback continued to circle back to funding for Ukraine and how the American people deserve restitution for waste, fraud, and abuse DOGE purported to have uncovered.

"James, we've had many people on to have conversations about Ukraine and how money should be spent and whether there should be some sort of process," Keilar said. "So, then, let me ask you again. Instead of pivoting to Ukraine, will you please answer my question?"

"What is your question?" Fishback asked as an exasperated Keilar exclaimed, "Are you serious?"

The national debt currently stands at around $36.22 trillion. The Department of Government Efficiency is tasked with slashing trillions from the federal budget.

President Donald Trump said last week that Fishback's plan was "under consideration."

Watch the clip below via CNN.