In a recent episode of MSNBC's Deadline: White House, host Nicolle Wallace and her panelists took aim at CNN for their decision to host a town hall event featuring former Republican President Donald Trump. The show's discussion primarily revolved around the criticism of Trump's repeated lies and the enthusiastic support he received from the audience.
Wallace highlighted how Trump seemed to exert complete control over the conversation during the event, noting he decided when and what topics would be discussed. She expressed dismay at the "cacophony of lies" Trump propagated on the stage and his derogatory attacks on writer E. Jean Carroll, who had previously accused him of rape.
While the jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a civil case, Trump continued to disparage Carroll as a "whack job" during the town hall.
Interestingly, Wallace drew attention to CNN's recent controversy involving misogyny, specifically mentioning the departure of anchor Don Lemon.
Lemon's termination followed a misogynistic comment he made on his broadcast, which was deemed unacceptable by network management. Wallace pointed out the irony of CNN's decision to air Trump's misogynistic attacks on Carroll, given their recent public condemnation of Lemon's behavior.
You can hear what Wallace said in the news segments below.
\u201cWallace: CNN recently very publicly parted ways with Don Lemon. It came in the aftermath of a comment he made that was viewed by his managers as misogynistic. Those very same managers are the people who aired Trump\u2019s misogynistic attacks last night on E. Jean Carroll\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1683835760
\u201c"This is appalling on so many different levels... last night was a case study in why you do not give a megaphone to an unedited live show for somebody like Donald Trump, who's gonna use that platform to lie and to defame" - @SykesCharlie w/ @NicolleDWallace\u201d— Deadline White House (@Deadline White House) 1683842146
Wallace said:
"CNN recently very publicly parted ways with Don Lemon. It came in the aftermath of a comment he made that was viewed by his managers as misogynistic. Those very same managers are the people who aired Trump’s misogynistic attacks last night on E. Jean Carroll that could invite further defamation suits." ...
“There’s also something self-loathing about it. A company that’s so brazen with its hypocrisy. It’s just parted ways with Don Lemon and then it platforms the misogyny a day after a jury of Trump’s peers found him liable.”
Wallace went on to quote Trump from the town hall and described his response as "word salad":
“Here is part of what Trump said that is almost certainly being reviewed by lawyers today."
"Quote, ‘I never met this woman. I never saw this woman.’ He goes on to say, ‘What kind of a woman meets somebody and brings them up and within minutes, you’re playing hanky-panky in a dressing room, ok? I don’t know if she was married then or not.'”
Many concurred with Wallace's assessment and echoed her criticisms of CNN.
\u201c@Acyn @CatLadyWTX This exact thought crossed my mind. And I believe Kaitlan Collins was the injured party in both cases.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1683835760
\u201c@DeadlineWH @SykesCharlie @NicolleDWallace If U.S. media thought it had any chance of improving its standing with Americans, clearly @CNN, Chris Licht & @kaitlancollins killed & buried that chance.\n\nPerhaps that was MAGA-friendly Licht's plan all along.\n\nCNN, Licht, Collins willingly helped a fascist sexual predator.\u201d— Deadline White House (@Deadline White House) 1683842146
\u201c@DeadlineWH @SykesCharlie @NicolleDWallace Can\u2019t believe that CNN gave Trump a platform too push his lies, CNN should be boycotted.\u201d— Deadline White House (@Deadline White House) 1683842146
\u201c@Acyn @CNN promoted a twice impeached, grifting, narcissistic, vile, sexual abuser for ratings. On top of that, they placed horrible people who laughed about sexual assault in the audience. This is NOT journalism no matter how much they spin it. #BoycottCNN \ud83d\ude21\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1683835760
\u201c@Acyn Well if they are trying to take over the mantle of most despised platform from Fox they\u2019ve just about succeeded.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1683835760
\u201c@Acyn E. Jean Carroll is said to be considering suing Donald Trump for defamation again because of that #CNNTownhall. She should consider adding CNN as a party, as they knowingly facilitated the publication of that totally foreseeable defamation.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1683835760
\u201c@DeadlineWH @SykesCharlie @NicolleDWallace You don\u2019t give a narcissistic diva a stage, mic, spotlight and laugh track audience. You put them in a room and have them answer your question. If they evade, repeat, repeat, repeat. If they lie, call them on it. If they lie again, call them out again. Don\u2019t stop.\u201d— Deadline White House (@Deadline White House) 1683842146
Lemon, a prominent figure at CNN for 17 years, expressed his surprise and disappointment at being fired.
His dismissal followed a string of controversies, including his remark about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley being past her "prime." Variety magazine subsequently published a detailed report highlighting a pattern of misogynistic behavior and other troubling incidents involving Lemon.
In defense of CNN's decision to host the Trump town hall, Anderson Cooper took the stage on Thursday night.
Acknowledging the anger and criticism directed at the network, Cooper argued the event provided insight into the current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.
Cooper countered the idea of ignoring voices like Trump's, suggesting engaging with differing viewpoints was essential for fostering understanding and affecting change.
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