Democrats and their media allies, having spent years demonizing President Donald Trump and his supporters, now seem caught in the very cycle they helped create.
On Monday, Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings, sparked an unexpected wave of left-wing fury when she posted a photo on Instagram of herself smiling while seated next to Fox News host Jesse Watters on a flight.
The source of outrage? King treated Watters like a fellow human being.
“Two TV people from competing networks walk on to a plane and, to the surprise of them both, they’re seated right next to each other for over four hours,” King wrote.
She went further, defying the expectations of online leftists eager to see animosity:
“How did it go? Speaking for @jessewatters here: A good time was had by all! Hi, Jesse…saving your number!”
In a moment that should have been ordinary, King reminded viewers that civility – even across partisan lines – is still possible, much to the chagrin of those invested in perpetual outrage.
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encounter with Watters.
“Why would you even post this?” one commenter demanded.
“I respect and love you, Gayle. Your seat mate, however, is harming our country…,” wrote another.
“This is really not cute at all,” added a third.
Yet not all reactions were hostile. Some users praised the interaction, calling the King-Watters photo “refreshing” and “great to see.” These positive responses serve as a reminder that the most extreme voices, while loud, still represent a minority. Unfortunately, as recent events show, that minority is growing.
The violent reactions to the tragic assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk in Utah last month highlighted just how far leftist rhetoric can push unstable individuals. Months of relentless anti-Trump messaging have, in some cases, fueled dangerous obsessions.
In that context, King’s simple act of civility stands out. Amid the pervasive hostility, her ability to treat a conservative counterpart with decency is noteworthy — a rare reminder that basic humanity can survive even in politically charged environments.
One can only hope that the very monster Democrats helped create does not turn its fury toward King herself.