In a case of blatant election interference, both CNN & MSNBC refused to air Trump’s remarks live on the tarmac after his arrest in Fulton County, Georgia. In stark contrast, Fox News did air Trump’s comments live where he lashed out at being arrested for a fourth time in as many months.
Just like earlier in the evening, both CNN & MSNBC aired wall-to-wall coverage of Trump’s every move to and from the Fulton County, Georgia jail where he was fingerprinted and got his mug shot taken, both networks had cameras rolling while Trump got out of his limousine and walked to the cameras. Despite this, they kept Trump’s volume down and continued with their panel discussions.
When Trump appeared in front of the camera, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow narrated for viewers what was happening: “In terms of what we were looking at, as I mentioned, there's always a chance tonight that former President Trump was going to be speaking, making remarks before he gets back on the plane.”
This isn’t the first time Maddow refused to air Trump’s remarks. Back in June, Trump was set to address supporters after a previous arraignment and Maddow announced her network’s refusal to air Trump’s speech because there’s a cost for her network to “knowingly broadcast untrue things.” This irony wasn’t lost on anyone.
Meanwhile on CNN, host Anderson Cooper briefly cut into half a sentence of Trump’s tarmac address before quickly cutting out and telling viewers “We’re just going to be monitoring his remarks and bring them to you if they’re newsworthy.”
Fox News Channel’s Jesse Watters Primetime did broadcast the former President’s remarks in its entirety.
Due to wall-to-wall coverage of Trump’s fourth arrest, there were no ad breaks. Head over to the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page to see frequent CNN & MSNBC sponsors.
The transcripts are below:
MSNBC’s All In
8/24/2023
8:16:26 p.m. EasternRACHEL MADDOW: In terms of what we were looking at, as I mentioned, there's always a chance tonight that former President Trump was going to be speaking, making remarks before he gets back on the plane. He is restricted by his bail conditions, in terms of what he can say. I'm just looking at here in terms of that language. Under the terms of his agreement he’s not allowed to communicate with witnesses or codefendants about the case.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360
8/24/2023
8:16:32 p.m. EasternANDERSON COOPER: Oh, here we go.
[briefly cuts into Trump remarks]
DONALD TRUMP: This is a very sad day for America. This should never happen. If you challenge an election—
[cuts out of Trump remarks]
COOPER: Keep going. We’re just going to be monitoring his remarks and bring them to you if they’re newsworthy.
FNC’s Jesse Watters Primetime
8/24/2023
8:16:28 p.m. EasternDONALD TRUMP: A very sad day for America. This should never happen. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election. I thought the election was a rigged election and a stolen election. And I should have every right to do that as you know. You have many people you’ve been watching over the years do the same thing whether it’s Hillary Clinton or Stacey Abrams, or many others. When you have that great freedom to challenge, you have to be able, otherwise you’re gonna have very dishonest elections. What has taken place here is a travesty of justice. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong. And everybody knows it. I never had such support. And that goes with the other ones too. What they’re doing is election interference. They’re trying to interfere with an election. There’s never been anything like it in our country before. This is their way of campaigning. And this is one instance but you have three other instances. It's election interference. So I want to thank you for being here. We did nothing wrong at all and we have every right—every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest. So we think it's very dishonest. So thank you all very much and I'll see you very soon.
