In a recent interview with CNN's Abby Phillip, Dr. Ben Carson, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Donald Trump, was questioned about Trump's endorsement of Louisiana's new law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The conversation has ignited a debate about the separation of church and state.

The controversial legislation was signed into law by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Wednesday, making Louisiana the only state in the country to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. Trump, the presumptive GOP 2024 presidential nominee, expressed his support for the law on his social media site, Truth Social, stating, "I love the Ten Commandments in public schools, private schools, and many other places, for that matter. Read it - How can we, as a nation, go wrong???"

During the CNN NewsNight interview on Friday, Phillip asked Carson if he had seen the Ten Commandments displayed at any of Trump's properties. Carson responded that he hadn't specifically seen them and was unsure if they were present. When pressed further by Phillip on whether they should be displayed, Carson stated that he wouldn't object to their presence but also wouldn't object if they were absent.

Phillip continued to question the absence of the Ten Commandments at Trump's properties, arguing that if they are considered universal principles, they should be displayed in places where Trump has control. In response, Carson reiterated that the issue was not about Trump, but about the declining moral values in the nation.

Following the interview, Newsweek reached out to Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, for comment on whether Trump displays the Ten Commandments on his properties. Cheung did not directly address the question, but instead criticized Phillip, accusing her of making false statements due to her supposed "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

The conversation between Carson and Phillip has sparked mixed reactions. Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko commended Phillip for her line of questioning, while Democratic nominee Mike Harvey criticized the law, predicting that it would be challenged and overturned by the Supreme Court.

As the controversy continues, the debate over the display of religious symbols in public spaces and the role of religion in public education remains contentious. The issue raises questions about the balance between religious freedom and the separation of church and state, further fueling the ongoing culture war.