CNN panelist says on air that fellow panelist is a ‘mediocre Negro’ for supporting Trump

Frequent CNN contributor and Morehouse College professor Marc Lamont Hill made waves on Tuesday when he insulted a fellow panelist during a conversation about President-elect Donald Trump, calling him a "mediocre Negro."

During a wide-ranging discussion that focused on a number of issues, including Trump's recent dust-up with Democratic Congressman John Lewis, host Don Lemon asked Hill whether Harvey should have accepted a meeting with Trump. Hill took the discussion in a different direction, criticizing Trump for meeting Harvey.

"They keep bringing up comedians and and actors athletes to represent black interests. It’s demeaning, it’s disrespectful, and it’s condescending,” Hill said. “Bring some people up there with expertise, Donald Trump, don’t just bring up people to entertain.”

Panelist Bruce Levell, former GOP chair for Georgia and executive director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, took issue with Hill's remarks, sighing and shaking his head before reminding Hill that he was not present during the conversation and doesn't know what was discussed. He also brought up Trump's diversity team, a coalition that has tried to bridge the gap between minorities and the president-elect.

Levell asked Hill: "Pastor Darryl Scott, Mike Cohen, they are in the process of bringing all types of people from all over the country, from all different backgrounds. Remember the diversity coalition where we reached out to all different types of people?"

"Yeah, it was a bunch of mediocre Negroes being dragged in front of TV as a photo-op for Donald Trump’s exploitative campaign against black people. And you are a prime example of that," Hill retorted.

As the panelists all began raising their voices at one another Symone Sanders, former press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign came to Hill's defense. Levell criticized Hill for hurling insults, to which Hill responded, "I'm not name calling."