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Kevin O’Leary destroys leftist CNN panelist over US history 

Another day, another semi-deranged conversation on Abby Phillip’s show on CNN. This time, Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary set Tezlyn Figaro, a progressive political commentator, straight on matters of criminal justice and American history. 

The conversation was about a legitimate news subject: a judge’s decision to restore an exhibit about slavery at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.  

That’s all good by me — I agree, we should teach the real history of the U.S., not some sanitized version. I’ve been clear on that for years. In this country, the realities of slavery and the Civil War are taught, and should be taught, to children. We already do a good job of that in most schools throughout the U.S., but if you have ideas for how we can do it better, I’m all ears. 

But it sounds to me like it’s Figaro herself who needs a history lesson. Listen to her and O’Leary arguing here.  

Did you catch that? The lefty is arguing that there is slavery in the U.S. today — not 200 years ago but presently, because of the private prison system.  

I’m sorry, but that’s just totally made up. It’s fine to oppose private prisons as a matter of policy, of course, but private prisons are just prisons that are administered privately. The people incarcerated there are people who have gone through, or are going through, the criminal justice system. Private prisons don’t just abduct people off the streets or something: They incarcerate people at the behest of state prosecutors and police. 

You know what countries do imprison hundreds and thousand of people unjustly? Russia. China. Iran. North Korea. Not the U.S. O’Leary, of course, followed up with this exact point. 

Now, just because there are other, much worse countries out there, it doesn’t mean that we have to refrain from criticizing the U.S. at all. Moreover, it certainly doesn’t mean that we should refrain from criticizing the federal government. But there’s a certain kind of left progressive commentator who seems to view America as uniquely bad or uniquely broken on a historical scale. 

Ours is great nation that saved humanity from the scourges of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. That defeated the Soviet Union — one of the most oppressive and carceral regimes in the history of the world — without firing a direct shot. This is a county that works to counteract Islamic authoritarianism and undermine the new threats posed by China and Russia. 

How about a little enthusiasm and appreciation for the greatness of America? Maybe liberals could lean into a positive message if they want to win elections ever again. 

Robby Soave is co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising” and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary. 

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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