CNN anchor Anderson Cooper didn’t hold back. He called former Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu a “dick” on live TV. Cooper criticized FEMA for spending millions to house illegal migrants in “luxury” hotels.
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), revealed FEMA spent $59 million on luxury hotels for migrants. He said it violated an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Sununu backed Trump and Musk, defending their claims of wasteful spending.
“[Musk] is giving very specific things, but he’s not actually giving any evidence of that,” Cooper said. “Some of the details that have come out, like the $59 million spent on luxury hotels.”
Sununu pushed back hard. “You’re talking about FEMA money that was used for migrants, that’s okay now?” he asked.
“No, I’m not saying it’s okay, don’t put words in my mouth,” Cooper snapped. “Don’t be a dick. What I’m saying is the portrayal by [Musk] is not factually accurate. He’s talking about luxury hotels. I was in Hurricane Katrina. I saw what FEMA does.”
At the end of the segment, Cooper apologized to Sununu for the harsh remark.
Musk vowed to recover the funds FEMA allegedly misused. The Trump administration confirmed four FEMA employees were fired over the spending, including its chief financial officer. The administration called the spending “egregious.”
Officials in New York denied federal money was used on luxury hotels. They claimed it was properly allocated under former President Joe Biden’s administration. FEMA’s acting director, Cameron Hamilton, said Monday the payments were “suspended” and promised accountability.
New York City has housed illegal immigrants in upscale hotels due to overcrowding. Officials converted hotels like the Collective Paper Factory, The Row, and the Square Hotel into emergency shelters.
Biden’s campaign accused Trump of lying about the luxury hotel claims. Still, several reports have backed Trump’s statements.
While DOGE investigates, Musk dismantled the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) on Feb. 3. The agency had spent billions on global left-wing causes. It gave $2 million to Guatemala for sex change operations, sent millions of condoms and birth control products abroad, and provided $68 billion in foreign aid in 2023.
Trump announced Musk will next investigate spending by the Department of Education, the military, and other federal agencies. “We’re just getting started,” Musk promised.