Trump Goes Hard After CNN When Confronted By Fox News Host About His Threats Against Network Licenses
Donald Trump let loose on CNN and “Fake Tapper” when asked how he felt about networks not carrying some of his speeches.
The former president sat down with Fox News’ Howard Kurtz for a wide-ranging interview that included Trump’s view on the media.
“Everybody’s entitled to whack the media,” Kurtz said on Sunday’s MediaBuzz. “After the Iowa caucuses two networks didn’t carry your speech. I was very critical at the time. But you said, ‘CNN and NBC should have their licenses, or whatever they have, taken away.’ Sounded like you were threatening to go after television outlets with reporting you don’t like.”
Trump responded that he thought it was “incredible” that some networks cut out of his speeches.
“But when you’re using public airwaves and you don’t have — you cover a candidate for months, you cover him as a negatively as possible — or her, could be her — and then, all of a sudden that candidate wins in a landslide and it’s very exciting and everybody wants to watch, and you don’t cover his speech! And, it’s incredible,” Trump repeated. He continued:
I guess it was “Fake Tapper” or somebody turned it off, he said, “Turn it off.” I think, actually, MSNBC did do it — “MSDNC” — but they did do it. But I think it was CNN that didn’t cover it. Jake Tapper, who I used to know and actually sort of liked him, actually, but he hurts himself very badly when he does a thing like that. And he hurts the ratings, too. You look at CNN ratings, they’re so bad. So, you cover, though — I mean, think of it — you’re covering someone for a year, and this is the culmination, this is the big moment, and people want to watch it, and you say, “I’m not going to put his speech on.” How can you do that?
Kurtz added, “My view was, say what you want afterwards. If you want to be critical, fine.”
“Sure, you can do that,” Trump said.
Watch the clip above via Fox News.