Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Trump to Appear on TV Network He Once Called an 'Enemy of the People'
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
May 2, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As president, Donald Trump frequently derided CNN as “fake news.” Now that he’s running again, Trump has agreed to appear on a live town hall forum from New Hampshire next week for CNN viewers.

The event, scheduled for May 10 at St. Anselm’s College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, will be televised at 9 p.m. Eastern. Kaitlan Collins will moderate. Trump will take questions from Republicans and undeclared voters who are planning to participate in the 2024 GOP primary.

Although Trump has taken audience questions at some rallies and has been interviewed by Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson in recent weeks on Fox News, this is his first town hall-style event of the 2024 campaign.

The booking is a clear attempt by Trump to draw a contrast with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an expected GOP presidential primary opponent. It is also a big deal for slumping CNN as it works to get beyond the era of former leader Jeff Zucker.

Trump never gave an interview to a CNN journalist while he was president.

A Trump adviser who was not authorized to speak publicly said stepping outside of the traditional comfort zone for Republicans was key to Trump’s success in 2016. The adviser said CNN executives made a compelling pitch to Trump.

DeSantis has worked to avoid the mainstream media throughout his time in his office, but he is a regular on Fox News, a popular destination for conservative viewers.

DeSantis has long refused to sit for interviews or take questions with other media outlets who might ask more difficult questions. When he does have news conferences, he often holds them far from the Florida capital and with little advance notice, making it tough for journalists who know Florida politics best to attend.

As he traveled across the nation in recent weeks as part of his book tour, DeSantis usually avoided taking questions from voters or local reporters, aside from isolated interviews with conservative media.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who formally launched his presidential campaign last week, has appeared on MSNBC and CNN. Another contender, Vivek Ramaswamy, sat for a contentious interview with former CNN personality Don Lemon.

Trump Harsh CNN Critic

Trump’s relationship with CNN was complicated, particularly given Zucker’s role in promoting Trump on “Celebrity Apprentice” when the executive was at NBC. CNN, under Zucker’s leadership, was also criticized for the extent to which it aired Trump campaign rallies early in the 2016 cycle.

As president, Trump denounced CNN as “fake news” and the “enemy of the people” and chafed under tough questioning by reporters like Jim Acosta and Collins. He attacked Zucker vitriolically.

As a result, CNN became unpopular with Trump’s supporters and other Republican politicians. Current CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht, who replaced Zucker, has made it a mission to broaden the network’s reach and ease some of the tension with the GOP.

The forums are a CNN tradition with presidential contenders and the network has been in touch with other candidates about doing something similar, said David Chalian, the network’s vice president and political director. DeSantis is not a declared presidential candidate.

“That would be a wonderful byproduct if indeed other candidates say that we should accept an invitation as well,” Chalian said. “But that’s not why we’re doing it.”

Licht is also trying to rebuild CNN’s struggling prime-time lineup. Landing Trump for the town hall — if it goes well — could be a step toward accomplishing multiple goals.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

DON'T MISS

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

DON'T MISS

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

DON'T MISS

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

DON'T MISS

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

DON'T MISS

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

DON'T MISS

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

DON'T MISS

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

DON'T MISS

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

UP NEXT

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

UP NEXT

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

UP NEXT

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

UP NEXT

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

UP NEXT

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

UP NEXT

Supreme Court Blocks, for Now, New Deportations Under 18th Century Wartime Law

UP NEXT

Senator Slams ‘Margaritagate’ Stunt During Deportee Visit

UP NEXT

Trump Admin Asserts COVID-19 Originated in Chinese Lab, Targets Fauci

UP NEXT

What Happens After a Homeless Person Is Arrested for Camping? Often, Not Much

UP NEXT

The US Has a Single Rare Earths Mine. Chinese Export Limits Are Energizing a Push for More

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

9 hours ago

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

9 hours ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

1 day ago

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

1 day ago

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

1 day ago

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

1 day ago

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

1 day ago

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

1 day ago

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

1 day ago

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

1 day ago

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

EL SEGUNDO — In their first season together, Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh rebuilt the team enough ...

8 hours ago

8 hours ago

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

8 hours ago

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

8 hours ago

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

9 hours ago

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

9 hours ago

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

1 day ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

1 day ago

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

1 day ago

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend