ABC News, NBC News, and CNN chose not to broadcast President Donald Trump’s primetime speech live on Thursday. The address focused on election security and alleged vulnerabilities during the 2020 election. Trump claimed that ‘vital information’ regarding the 2020 election had been ‘covered up and hidden’ from the American public.
Trump accused China of interfering in the 2020 election, citing newly declassified documents. He referred to CIA reports alleging efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to prevent his reelection. Additionally, he mentioned intelligence from the FBI suggesting China attempted to create illegal ballots for Joe Biden.
Leading up to the address, five major networks planned their strategies to handle Trump’s remarks.
A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital it would cover the speech ‘as a news event’ and monitor developments. CNN provided on-air analysis and commentary. The network offered the speech on its website and streaming platform.
CNN anchor John King explained the decision. He noted that Trump had a history of making misleading or false statements about elections. King emphasized CNN’s commitment to independently verifying the declassified documents released by the Trump administration.
ABC News streamed Trump’s speech on its platform and ABC News Radio. A spokesperson stated regular newscasts would cover the speech. NBC News also streamed the address and aired a special report afterwards.
Both networks broadcast special reports summarizing Trump’s remarks immediately following the speech. Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s owned ABC and NBC stations did air the speech, despite network decisions.
Trump criticized ABC and NBC during his address, calling them ‘fake news.’ He accused them of avoiding the topic due to systemic corruption. He alleged they were part of a plot to sustain fraudulent activities.
Trump emphasized, ‘Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses.’ He argued networks should pay for utilizing public airwaves and called for honesty in elections and reporting.
ABC News and NBC News did not respond immediately to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
The New York Times criticized Trump’s subpoenas targeting reporters’ sources. CBS News aired a special report initially offering analysis before broadcasting the speech after Trump’s first remarks. MSNBC aired 15 minutes of Trump’s speech and followed with commentary.
Networks not airing presidential addresses is not new. ABC, CBS, and NBC didn’t show President Barack Obama’s 2014 primetime speech on immigration. Similarly, they avoided President Joe Biden’s speech in 2022 outside Independence Hall, attacking MAGA Republicans.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.
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