MSNBC refused to air former President Trump’s speech after his win in the Iowa caucuses, with Rachel Maddow explaining that the channel couldn’t air “lies” and Democratic strategist Kevin Walling suggesting that censoring Trump’s remarks could be harmful for Democrats.
Critics ridiculed the decision, with radio host Erick Erickson noting that MSNBC should admit they simply didn’t want to offend its progressive audience by airing Trump’s speech.
Walling said, “I doubt there’s many people watching MSNBC, or CNN for that matter, that don’t already have a formed opinion about the former president.”
“You know, it’s undeniable that he’s newsworthy,” admitted Walling.
MSNBC won’t air Trumps speech because they are scared of him saying “untrue things”. Pretty sure that’s code for “things that don’t match the narrative we want pushed”. pic.twitter.com/pa1LuH2mOH
— Salty Sea Turtle (@TheSaltyTurtle_) January 18, 2024
“He’s going to be the most likely person to be the Republican nominee, and I think you see these networks still trying to struggle with how to cover it,” he continued.
“I would recommend you take his remarks live, and if you feel so inclined, you fact-check or you point out fallacies in what he’s saying. But to just say, ‘We’re not going to take his remarks live going forward,’ I think it’s problematic,” said Walling.
“I don’t think it’s a winning strategy for those networks making that decision,” he added.
Erick Erickson said, “The smugness of MSNBC, which allows on Joy Reid, Al Sharpton, Mehdi Hasan – although, not anymore with him – and others to say they’re not going to air the former President of the United States’ victory speech in Iowa because he may say untrue things.”
Erickson asked, “Have you people watched Joy Reid’s show? Have you listened to Mehdi Hassan, or the other shows on MSNBC?”
“It has nothing to do with him and everything to do with your audience. Ironically, you help Donald Trump by not broadcasting him… it’s dishonest, but it’s also rather silly,” added Erickson.
CNN host Michael Smerconish also said MSNBC erred by not airing Trump’s speech, and Sen. Lindsey Graham scolded MSNBC for not carrying the speech.
Smerconish said, “I candidly think they made the wrong decision. Ignoring a major party candidate, the leading candidate of the Republican Party, right now is not going to make him go away. And, if anything, you’re helping elect him.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote, “MSNBC’s decision not to carry President Trump’s victory speech was based on the idea that they are just interested in the ‘truth’. This network and all other major networks gave breathless coverage to the Russia hoax and have virtually ignored the disaster called the Biden Administration.”
“If you’re looking for the truth, I’d find another channel,” advised the senator.
MSNBC wasn’t the only network to object to Trump’s speech, as CNN host Jake Tapper interrupted the former president to accuse him of spouting “anti-immigrant rhetoric.”
MSNBC could get another shot on Tuesday as New Hampshire voters partake in the nation’s first GOP primary of the cycle.
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