Caroline Sunshine: More Welfare Is Handed Out To Somali Immigrants In Minnesota Than White 20-Year-Olds In Arkansas
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/09/30/caroline_sunshine_more_welfare_is_handed_out_to_somali_immigrants_in_minnesota_than_white_20-year-olds_in_arkansas.html

Former Trump 2024 campaign press aide Caroline Sunshine challenged CNN commentators over the MAGA backlash to Sarah Huckabee Sanders' welfare ad, arguing that the GOP risks alienating young voters, particularly men.

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN: Tonight, a political ad touting a popular Republican policy starts a MAGA firestorm all because of who it casted. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS (R-AK): Me, Brad.

Brad has turned relaxing into a full-time profession. But you, you actually work hard. You pay taxes to cover welfare for guys like Brad who just choose not to work.

That's why I launched a welfare to work requirement. Now, more Arkansans are working than ever before.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIP: You may be wondering what exactly is the problem with that ad?

Well, according to the MAGA backlash, it's the casting of a young white man to play the welfare abuser. Arkansas's governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, dismissed the fallout and reposted the ad again to X. But some of the sharpest critics of the ad highlight a deeper problem in the party.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK POSOBIEC, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR: We know that we've seen the Gen Z numbers with the GOP. We know the numbers are down. All the GOP had to do was not attack young white men between now and election day.

The only group in America that there's no taboo to attack whatsoever is white men. And look, that's what GOP is now doing. It is tone-deaf, it is disgraceful.

And honestly, it should be apologized for. This should be taken down and there should be an apology to the young white men in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIP: I wish this were a joke, but it's not. This is very serious.

BRAD TODD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I'm offended that the person's name is Brad.

PHILLIP: Brad's everywhere.

YEMISI EGBEWOLE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Put down the cheese balls, Brad.

PHILLIP: Are they really losing it over an ad that demonstrates that white people are on welfare too?

TODD: I think I have a pretty good grasp of where the Republican base is since I spend my entire living trying to help Republicans unite to win elections. And I have seen no one legitimate who is upset by this.

These are only clickbait profiteers online (inaudible).

(CROSSTALK)

CAROLINE SUNSHINE, FORMER PRESS AIDE, TRUMP 2024 CAMPAIGN: : There are 10 million people who have seen that ad online who agree with me, Brad. So I know you think you know the GOP base, but you might want to check yourself.

Let me ask you this.

TODD: Being a self-styled MAGA influencer who sells clickbait does not make you represent (inaudible)?

SUNSHINE: Do you know what percentage of welfare recipients in the United States are white men under the age of 25?

TODD: I know that I don't look at people's race when I'm trying to decide what the policy is.

SUNSHINE: What percentage of welfare recipients are white men under the age of 25?

TODD: Again, I told you, I don't look at people.

SUNSHINE: It's 1 percent, it's less than 1 percent. So white men under the age of 25 are less than 1 percent of welfare recipients in our country, but they're the star of Sarah Sanders' ads.

PHILLIP: Specifically what programs are you talking about?

TODD: She's talking about AFDC. Right? Is that what you're talking about?

SUNSHINE: I'm talking about TANF. I'm talking about SNAP. I'm talking about any of the generous welfare benefits the United States government hands out.