WaPo Columnist, NBC Senior Vice President Duke It Out Over Why Network Held On to Trump Audio
Media Columnist Margaret Sullivan and NBC Universal’s Mark Kornblau had a contentious Twitter exchange on Friday, due to questions that remain from Donald Trump‘s infamous 2005 appearance on Access Hollywood
As Trump fends off backlash over his sexually aggressive remarks, some have wondered whether NBC higher-ups were aware that they had this old video, and if they did, why didn’t they release it earlier in the election season. Sullivan wrote about this on Thursday for Washington Post, noting how the newspaper broke the story before NBC did, even though the network supposedly wanted to address legal matters before putting it out themselves.
Sullivan spoke with Kornblau, NBC’s Senior Vice President, to get some answers, though she later argued that things didn’t add up regarding the decision to hold onto the tape for so long. After releasing her column, Sullivan vented her thoughts on Twitter:
Kudos to @Sulliview for pressing — but @NBCNews‘ explanations are still flimsy https://t.co/9zzgK7G64o
— BGrueskin (@BGrueskin) October 14, 2016
Once I tried to nail jello to a wall. That was more satisfying and successful. https://t.co/WfRgpCDjnH
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) October 14, 2016
Kornblau noticed this, and he had some problems with Sullivan’s remark:
This is pretty disappointing to see. We spent 30 minutes on the record and I openly and honestly answered all of your questions. https://t.co/OTgw6zJjxk
— Mark Kornblau (@MarkKornblau) October 14, 2016
From there, the two expressed opposing thoughts over how the discussion went:
@MarkKornblau And, respectfully, isn’t it your job to answer such questions, therefore not really so remarkable?
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) October 14, 2016
I didn’t say it was “remarkable.” I said I spoke to you openly and honestly & so it was disappointing to see you glibly call me “jello.” https://t.co/FK3oL0jqEC
— Mark Kornblau (@MarkKornblau) October 14, 2016
@MarkKornblau Appreciated. But how could you, for example, decline to answer direct question: Is NBC News now searching the Access archive?
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) October 14, 2016
1 of the only q’s I didn’t answer. What obligation do we have to tell competitors what reporting we are now working on? Does Post do that? https://t.co/2FTPdlqsFL
— Mark Kornblau (@MarkKornblau) October 14, 2016
@MarkKornblau It’s not personal. To restate, w/out the metaphor: It’s frustrating not to get full understanding of this important matter.
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) October 14, 2016
Thanks. And to restate my point: we gave you a full accounting. https://t.co/4gxkEVYwxI
— Mark Kornblau (@MarkKornblau) October 14, 2016
They did make nice towards the end though.
@MarkKornblau I realize that the on-record, lengthy interview was unusual in this circumstance, Appreciated.
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) October 14, 2016
Thanks. https://t.co/fF1La2sjRj
— Mark Kornblau (@MarkKornblau) October 14, 2016
[Image via screengrab]
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