CNN took some serious heat on Thursday after a shirtless man drinking beer at a pro-Trump boat parade took time out to educate their field reporter on the economy, inflation, and how stubbornly high prices impact everyone.

Correspondent Elle Reeve approached Joe Harner, who was holding a beer in one hand and a red solo cup in the other, and asked him to talk to her about the most important issues going into the 2024 presidential election.

WATCH:

NEW: CNN reporter suggests to a Trump supporter that he shouldn't be concerned about the cost of living under the Biden/Harris adm. because he owns a boat

CNN: “if you can afford a boat, you’re not hurting so bad, right? Because a boat costs a lot of money and it’s a lot of… pic.twitter.com/sfSWJgI3ab

— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) September 19, 2024

“What’s your most important issue?” she asked.

His answer was immediate: “The economy. Getting interest rates down. Getting it where we can afford to live in America. Right now it’s too expensive.”

“Ok, now, let me maybe ask a slightly impolite question,” she followed up. “But, you know, if you can afford a boat, you’re not hurting so bad, right? Because a boat costs a lot of money and it’s a lot of upkeep —”

“Listen, nobody gave me s***!” Harner shot back. “I earned everything that I’ve got. I’m retired military, retired power plant, and I am successful and retired with boats, jet skis, because I did it right, and everybody has that chance. Whether they choose or not, that’s up to them.”

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“I would never try to take anything away from you in that way,” the reporter tried again. “What I’m asking is … groceries are probably a smaller part of your budget than, say, you know, someone who’s like, a little worse off. I think it’s interesting that people who are a little bit more comfortable are still so concerned about the economy.”

There was a pause then, and Harner appeared to just be staring at her from behind his mirrored sunglasses. After a few seconds she asked, “Do you see what I’m saying?”

“Because I want my money to go further. I want inflation to go down, I want interest rates to go back down, I want all that, but that covers everybody in the economy,” Harner replied. “Not just me, not just the poor, not just the rich, it covers everybody.”

“Now something that I’ve heard from some people, tell me if this applies to you, is like, they’re worried their kids aren’t able to afford a house or a car,” the reporter tried one more time.

“No,” Harner said flatly. “I trained my kids, and taught my kids properly. They have great educations and they’re both successful in their careers. Actually, they’re doing better than me.”

“I love this American man and this journalist woman was particularly annoying and dim-witted,” The Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway said in response to the exchange.

I love this American man and this journalist woman was particularly annoying and dim-witted. https://t.co/pWZOIWC1j3

— Mollie (@MZHemingway) September 19, 2024

“CNN having a harder debate with a shirtless rando than with the Democratic Party nominee is just about perfect,” Stephen Miller added.

CNN having a harder debate with a shirtless rando than with the Democratic Party nominee is just about perfect. https://t.co/QkP3Ob5a1Y

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 19, 2024

“I love the part where he’s like you do know inflation applies to everyone in the economy, not just me, right?” Mary Katharine Ham pointed out.

I love the part where he’s like you do know inflation applies to everyone in the economy, not just me, right? https://t.co/ys8MvLCIVv

— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) September 19, 2024

“Elle Reeve was unfamiliar with shirtless man’s game,” Ben Domenech concluded.

Elle Reeve was unfamiliar with shirtless man's game. https://t.co/khdNGdCg3S

— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) September 19, 2024