A CNN panel discussion turned heated on Tuesday when Atlantic writer Jemele Hill argued that capitalism is linked to White supremacy, prompting sharp pushback from podcast host Kmele Foster, who called the claim "absurd" and asked her repeatedly to justify the connection. The exchange, sparked by resurfaced 2020 remarks from Texas Senate candidate James Talarico describing capitalism as an "oppressive system" tied to White supremacy and climate change, went viral, with commentators including Mary Katharine Ham and Stephen Miller accusing Hill of being unable to substantiate her position on air.

Foster contrasted what he called capitalism's true, Adam Smith-derived principles of free exchange and mutual benefit with Hill's characterisation, while Hill countered that capitalism in practice, rather than in theory, has not worked fairly and pointed to America's history of slavery and race-based economic policy as evidence. Liberal commentator Leigh McGowan backed Hill's view that deregulation has skewed modern capitalism to benefit a small elite. The piece also cites a March Fox News poll showing a record 38% of Americans now favour moving towards socialism, up from 32% in 2022 and 18% in 2010.