CNN defended its decision to feature Donald Trump in a televised debate after a wave of criticism, especially from Democrats, who argue that the former president used the broadcast to repeat falsehoods and hurl insults. The town hall was Trump’s return to CNN after being absent since 2016. Journalist Kaitlan Collins moderated the debate Wednesday night, confronting Trump with questions from Republican or undecided voters. Throughout the event, Trump reiterated several times, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged” and expressed support for amnestying some supporters convicted of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Criticism came not only from Democrats. CNN journalist Olivier Darcy, responsible for covering the media, wrote in his blog that it was difficult to witness the spectacle of lies Trump spread. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of the left wing of the Democratic Party said that “CNN simply cannot ignore the fact that they set up a sexual assault victim to be targeted and attacked on national television the day after the ruling” in reference to the case of E. Jean Carroll. Carroll won a defamation case against Trump, who called her “crazy” after she accused him of rape.
In response to the criticism, CNN issued a statement defending Collins’ performance, saying she “illustrated what it is to be a top-notch journalist” by asking “tough and revealing questions.” CNN also noted that Collins fact-checked in real time to provide crucial information about Trump’s positions to voters. The decision to feature Trump in a televised debate continues to generate controversy in the United States and has reopened the debate over the role of the media in American politics.