CNN and MSNBC both cut away from former President Donald Trump as he spoke live on Friday, less than 24 hours after being convicted in his New York hush money trial. The decisions, along with coverage of the trial’s aftermath, highlighted the divisions in the nation and media’s struggle with how to handle Trump as he prepares for another presidential run. During the news conference, Trump expressed anger about the case, criticized certain individuals, and launched campaign-style attacks against his anticipated opponent, President Joe Biden, before walking off without taking questions.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer noted that Trump appeared to be raging against everything without a teleprompter, prompting CNN and MSNBC to cut away from his speech. Networks like Fox News Channel and Newsmax, which are popular among Trump supporters, carried the speech in full, while broadcast networks did not air it. CNN and MSNBC both immediately fact-checked Trump’s statements, pointing out misleading or false claims. MSNBC analyst Catherine Christian suggested that Trump violated a gag order by discussing a witness from the trial. Former Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen responded with a profanity-laced rebuke to Trump’s remarks.
Following Trump’s speech, commentators on Newsmax criticized CNN and MSNBC for cutting away from the former president’s remarks. CNN explained that they shifted away from Trump when his comments no longer held news value for their audience. These decisions reflect a broader discussion about how networks will handle live appearances by political figures in the upcoming campaign. Questions arise about fairness in airing both candidates’ nomination acceptance speeches in full and the process of making these editorial decisions. Viewer numbers were strong for networks covering the verdict, with MSNBC outperforming Fox in prime time.
The morning after Trump’s conviction, New York newspapers showcased differing front-page headlines, with some declaring him guilty and others calling the verdict unjust. While some criticized CNN and MSNBC for cutting away from Trump’s speech, the networks defended their decisions based on news value for their audience. The coverage of Trump’s trial and aftermath illustrate the challenges faced by media outlets in handling the former president’s contentious remarks and actions. As Trump gears up for another potential run for the presidency, the media landscape will continue to grapple with how to navigate coverage of his speeches and statements, balancing fairness, fact-checking, and audience engagement.
Overall, the coverage of Trump’s post-verdict speech underscored the deep political divisions in the country and the media’s role in reflecting and challenging those divisions. While some networks chose to fact-check and analyze Trump’s statements in real-time, others opted to provide uninterrupted coverage. The differing approaches taken by news organizations highlight the complexities of reporting on a polarizing figure like Trump, particularly as he seeks to return to the national stage with a potential presidential campaign. As the 2024 election looms, media outlets will continue to face these challenges in determining how to cover Trump and other political figures effectively while maintaining journalistic integrity and serving their audiences.
