Republicans threw a fit after CNN refused to run a new Trump campaign ad because it contained false information that called the mainstream media, “fake news.”
In a statement, CNN said, “CNN requested that the advertiser remove the false graphic that the mainstream media is ‘fake news.’ The mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is false and per policy will be accepted only if that graphic is deleted.â€
The RNC responded that giving people false information is part of their free speech rights, “The network’s clearly biased decision to block President Trump’s message to the American people is incredibly troubling,†said Chairwoman McDaniel. “Freedom of speech is a hallmark of our nation’s founding, and it is concerning that CNN, who I assume to be a strong supporter of the first amendment, would stifle speech that they disagree with. CNN should allow the ad to be aired and apologize for their attempt to block the President’s message.”
In the Republican view, Trump’s lies are protected as free speech, but journalists who report the truth about the president and his party are ‘fake news,’ and should be sued for libel.
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A political party that is being led by a president who dreams out loud of killing free speech doesn’t have a leg to stand on when they decide to suddenly care about the Constitution when it comes to getting their lies broadcast on national television.
CNN was right to turn down Trump’s 2020 ad. Scholars and experts agree that the mainstream press is not fake news. The Trump campaign made a blatantly false claim, and their decision to hide beyond the same Constitution that they are actively working to sabotage is stunning in its bold disconnect from reality.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
