CNN pundit Michael Smerconish argued on air that a decrease in teenagers having sex and Americans drinking alcohol is “actually bad news.”
Smerconish made the bizarre argument during a segment on Saturday.
“Back in the day, in high school, it was a function of ‘where are we going?’ not whether we’re going out,” the host began.
“I’ve gotta tell you one thing, I’ll say it quickly, don’t worry,” Smerconish continued. “It’s like the sex headline. When you see the headline that says that ‘fewer teens are having sex’ and as a parent, you say, ‘well, boy, that’s good news!’ And, similarly, fewer Americans are drinking. ‘Well, that’s good news.’ No! They’re bad.”
Smerconish explained that he thinks the decreases in underage sex and drinking is “actually bad news because it’s also representative of a decline in relationships and that’s the biggest problem this country faces!”
CNN’s Michael Smerconish says that more teens should be having sex, drinking and that it’s the biggest problem this country faces before announcing he’s on vacation next week. pic.twitter.com/5z05kMLdBZ
— Nerve News (@NerveDotNews) August 24, 2025
Nerve News reports:
Taken at face value, his line appears to valorize higher teen sexual activity and more drinking as indicators of healthier social bonds, which are formulations many Americans will find alarming. Public-health experts, parents, and child-safety advocates view the news of decreases on these fronts through a very different lens: lower teen sex and reduced alcohol consumption are usually framed as improvements in safety, education outcomes, and long-term well-being.
Smerconish has faced criticism in the past for his easy interviews with sexual predators and men accused of sexual misconduct, including Bill Cosby.
2. Bill Cosby has a history of bristling at slightly tough questioning. He does not appreciates fairness, he wants sycophancy. It should be concerning that Cosby tweeted this. If Michael did his job correctly, Cosby should have been furious, or at least not offered praise. pic.twitter.com/RxwhNLZMRI
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) August 30, 2019
The interview was Cosby’s first public statement in over two years as he faced multiple sexual assault allegations and an impending trial for aggravated indecent assault. During the conversation, Cosby suggested that “racism” and revenge could be motivating factors behind the accusations.
In a 2021, Smerconish faced more criticism after he amplified a guest’s statement that “the most dangerous person in the world is a broke young and alone young man” and that society is “producing way too many of them.”
“The most dangerous person in the world, is a broke young and alone young man. And we are producing way too many of them.” @profgalloway returns to @CNN tonight in the 9pm hour to discuss – tweet me your thoughts now https://t.co/R334tL3jKh
— Michael Smerconish (@smerconish) December 29, 2021
This story originally appeared on TheGateWayPundit
