AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
CNN received backlash on social media after it described former Fox News host Tucker Carlson as a “right-wing extremist” on Tuesday.
CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy used the words to describe Carlson in a report on the former Fox News star’s decision to move his show to Twitter, Tuesday. After the description was reposted on CNN’s Twitter account, the network received backlash from many social media users — not just from fans of Carlson, but also those who considered the label to be hypocritical given CNN’s controversial decision to host a town hall with former President Donald Trump this upcoming Wednesday.
“SO MUCH FOR OBJECTIVITY: Look at this headline. Further confirms #CNN is compromised,” protested journalist Jonathan Choe, while BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre wrote, “Tucker Carlson is right about journalists.”
“Y’all are having Trump on your channel tomorrow,” reacted Republican political consultant Nathan Wurtze, while journalist Luke O’Neil tweeted, “Tune into our town hall with Donald Trump, yes that Donald Trump, tomorrow night.”
CNN has received heavy criticism over its decision to host the first town hall of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday.
MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan criticized the network for platforming someone “who has used live interviews to incite violence and tell lies,” while the Bulwark’s Charlie Sykes called it “horrifically bad judgment” and “not journalism.”
Trump, meanwhile, has expressed uncertainty about “going into the heart of Enemy territory.”
“I’ll be doing CNN tomorrow night, LIVE from the Great State of New Hampshire, because they are rightfully desperate to get those fantastic (TRUMP!) ratings once again. They made me a deal I couldn’t refuse!!!” he wrote on Tuesday. “Could be the beginning of a New & Vibrant CNN, with no more Fake News, or it could turn into a disaster for all, including me. Let’s see what happens?”
David Zaslav, the CEO of CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, defended the network’s decision to host a town hall with Trump on CNBC, Friday.
“We need to hear both voices.That’s what you see. Republicans are on the air on CNN, Democrats are on the air. All voices should be heard,” he said.
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
For more latest TV News Click Here