With immediate effect
CNN chief must go after Trump broadcast
6/7/2023 5:57 p.m
A public discussion with Donald Trump, which CNN broadcasts in May, is completely out of control. The most promising Republican candidate for the presidential nomination spreads false claims and insults the moderator. Now broadcaster boss Chris Licht is fired.
CNN boss Chris Licht is leaving the company after criticizing a Trump interview. CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery said the light is going with immediate effect. A successor is currently being sought, in the meantime the US news broadcaster will be temporarily managed by a team.
Just last week, the magazine “Atlantic” published a critical report on light. Above all, he was accused of the fact that CNN had a program with former US President Donald Trump on May 10th. At the Citizens’ Talk, Trump made false claims about his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, announced that he would pardon many of those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol, and CNN host Kaitlan Collins, who repeatedly questioned critically, as “disgusting person”.
Not long after the show aired, noted political scientist Larry Sabato tweeted that those who predicted the town hall event would be a “pro-Trump disaster” were right. Sabato demanded a “detailed explanation” from CNN about the selection of the audience, which had greeted Trump’s remarks with much applause, cheers and laughter. CNN said it invited registered Republicans and independent voters planning to vote in the Republican primary.
“It was madness, absolute madness”
“I can’t believe CNN did it,” tweeted Congressman Jared Huffman of the Democratic Party. “You haven’t learned anything.” Media pundit Mark Lukasiewicz wrote on Twitter that the “predictably disastrous CNN Citizens Talk was disastrous indeed.” Trump spread lies at the speed of a semi-automatic rifle, CNN presenter Collins was powerless. “It was insane, absolutely insane,” wrote journalist and media analyst Bill Carter. “Like handing a microphone to a drunk uncle and saying go for it!”
Even CNN employees sharply criticized it. “It’s hard to see what a service America was rendered by this spectacle of lies broadcast by CNN on Wednesday night,” wrote CNN media journalist Oliver Darcy. CNN star presenter Jake Tapper admitted immediately after the citizens’ discussion: “We don’t have the time to check all his lies.”
Trump and CNN have had a very strained relationship for years. Trump repeatedly accused the news channel, which reported extremely critically about him, of spreading “fake news”. The Citizens’ Talk in Manchester, New Hampshire was his first appearance on CNN in seven years.
platform for false claims
Licht took over the CNN top post in May 2022 from longtime boss Jeff Zucker, who had to leave because of a relationship with a colleague. During his time, CNN’s approval ratings have plummeted, despite Licht’s efforts to make the station more attractive to Republican viewers as well. Under him, the broadcaster, which was suffering from poor ratings, accepted to offer Trump a platform for his false claims.
According to experts, the citizens’ discussion makes it clear how difficult it is for the media to deal with Trump. The 76-year-old is by far the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, which justifies journalistic interest in his statements. At the same time, the right-wing populist is known for spreading lies, misleading claims and hate speech.
“I have a lot of respect for Chris, personally and professionally,” said WBO boss David Zaslav. “It was clear that leading CNN would not be easy, especially during a time of upheaval and transformation, and he did the job with all his heart.” A specific reason for the termination is not known. In a Report on the CNN website it said that Licht’s brief tenure was marred by a series of serious missteps. The year under him was marked by layoffs, historically low ratings and a low point in employee morale.