Report: NBC News Execs Thought Matt Lauer’s Forum Performance Was a ‘Disaster’
Matt Lauer has received a ton of criticism from fans and critics alike over his performance during Wednesday night’s Commander-In-Chief candidate forum. Now, one report says that his bosses concur with the consensus that Matt was #Laueringthebar.
CNN’s Brian Stelter is reporting that several high-ranking sources at NBC News “said they hear the criticism and agree with at least some of it.”
One executive, whom Stelter didn’t identify, was particularly blunt.
“Disaster,” the executive said.
Lauer has been widely criticized for, among other things, not challenging a number of Donald Trump‘s statements, including his fully debunked claim that he opposed the Iraq War.
Basically universal condemnation from journalists for Lauer letting Trump get away with Iraq War comments: pic.twitter.com/S0O2BvepDr
— andrew kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) September 8, 2016
Seriously — everyone, and I mean everyone, knew this would happen. And Matt Lauer didn't have a followup planned? https://t.co/mm5ufZKjEx
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) September 8, 2016
Matt Lauer was 10x tougher on Tom Cruise than he was on Donald Trump. Sad! #LaueringTheBar pic.twitter.com/MlURYXWtfi
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) September 8, 2016
Matt Lauer was tougher on Ryan Lochte than on Donald Trump https://t.co/p2HnfF9ALx pic.twitter.com/Q1f9wWz6sd
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) September 8, 2016
Lauer: What do you think of babies?
Trump: They're very soft.
Lauer: In 2006 you tweeted they AREN'T soft.
Trump: Yes they are.
Lauer: Okay.— Eugene Mirman (@EugeneMirman) September 8, 2016
Great hashtag #LaueringTheBar
— Karen Hunter (@karenhunter) September 8, 2016
Today we are all Ann Curry.
#LaueringTheBar pic.twitter.com/eMacu5ZiuU
— Vanessa Contessa (@DailyContessa) September 8, 2016
Edward Murrow is spinning in his grave. #LaueringTheBar
— Jade Helm Commander (@Anomaly100) September 8, 2016
What a surprise that the person stumbling thru Olympics coverage cannot fairly host a presidential candidate forum. #LaueringTheBar
— Cheryl G (@steakhousegirl) September 8, 2016
Someone forgot to tell @MLauer that he was interviewing candidates for POTUS, not Dancing with the Stars. #LaueringTheBar
— (( ABN )) (@mcnuss) September 8, 2016
Matt Lauer was terrible last night. He should stick to scrambling eggs on TV and leave the moderating to prepared journalists.
— Bill Press (@bpshow) September 8, 2016
One executive assigned the blame for Lauer’s performance to a longtime Lauer ally, NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andy Lack. According to Stelter, Lack was “intimately involved in the forum planning and execution,” and at least one executive believes Lauer’s performance falls on him.
“This should be a black eye for Lack,” the executive said.
[image via screengrab]
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