Jake Tapper tells CNN control room to stop airing Trump at Miami restaurant
CNN anchor Jake Tapper was none too pleased with the cable network’s producers after they aired live footage of Donald Trump being fêted by supporters in a Miami restaurant, just hours after he was arraigned on federal charges. Tapper interrupted CNN’s live coverage of Trump’s appearance in federal court in South Florida on Tuesday to tell producers to stop airing the clips. “I don’t need to see any more of that,” he said before cutting the coverage short. This comes a week after CNN’s former boss Chris Licht quit the network over criticism of his decision to air a controversial live town hall with Trump, which many observers lambasted for “giving the former president a platform” to spout election fraud claims.
FAQs
What was the live footage that upset Jake Tapper?
Jake Tapper was reacting to live footage of former President Donald Trump being feted by his supporters at a Cuban restaurant in Miami, just hours after he was arraigned on federal charges.
Why did Tapper ask producers to stop airing the footage?
Tapper asked producers to stop airing the footage because he felt Trump was trying to turn it into a spectacle and a campaign ad, and that viewers had seen enough.
What was the controversy surrounding Chris Licht’s live town hall with Trump?
Many observers lambasted Licht for “giving the former president a platform” to spout election fraud claims, as well as criticisms of a journalist who sued him after claiming he had raped her.
What criticisms did former CNN employees have of Licht?
Former CNN employees harboured a number of grievances against Licht, who was portrayed in a disastrous magazine profile as thin-skinned, paranoid, and aloof.
What is CNN’s mandate under new corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery?
Under new corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN has been given a mandate to ditch left-leaning commentary in favour of more down-the-middle coverage.
CNN’s Jake Tapper instructs control room to cease broadcasting Trump’s footage from Miami eatery.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper expressed frustration on-air as he instructed the network’s producers to stop airing live footage of former President Donald Trump being celebrated by supporters at a Cuban restaurant in Miami, just hours after he was arraigned on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents. Tapper remarked “I don’t need to see any more of that” and called for an end to the spectacle. The incident marked the second occasion in a week where the network’s coverage of Trump came under fire. Last week, CNN was criticized for airing a live town hall with Trump, where he repeated election fraud claims and criticized a columnist who had accused him of rape. The move led to the resignation of CNN boss Chris Licht. According to reports, under new owners Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN has been instructed to focus on impartial coverage and to move away from left-leaning commentary.