CNN and MSNBC accused of snubbing Tucker Carlson’s appearance at the RNC by refusing to air his speech

07/23/2024 / By Laura Harris

Mainstream media outlets CNN and MSNBC are being accused of snubbing independent journalist Tucker Carlson’s primetime return at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, due to the suspicious lack of coverage of his speech at the event.

Carlson, a former host from major news networks, including Fox News, CNN, PBS and MSNBC, was introduced as a “journalist, author and American citizen” in the recent RNC event. In his speech, Carlson endorsed former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). His speech touched on themes of “divine intervention” following the recent assassination attempt on Trump. This, in turn, gained a warm reception from the GOP delegates. (Related: ‘Top Jewish Republican’ says his goal is to keep the GOP’s ‘Tucker Carlson-wing’ out of power.)

But despite the high-profile nature of Carlson’s return, CNN and MSNBC chose not to cover his speech.

CNN, did not broadcast any portion of Carlson’s remarks. Instead, the network focused on other events and speakers at the RNC, notably airing remarks from former teacher Annette Albright. MSNBC, while briefly showing a wide shot of Carlson taking the stage in a live feed from Wisconsin, did not provide any in-depth coverage or commentary on his speech. Hosts Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes continued their regular programming.

The BBC, however, did air Carlson’s time at the lectern, even as their coverage remained centered on the Democratic Party’s internal challenges. This juxtaposition highlighted the absence of coverage by CNN and MSNBC.

MSNBC and NBC News face backlash for using LED screen of RNC to cover the event

Aside from allegedly snubbing Carlson’s speech at the RNC event, MSNBC’s decision to do the coverage from their Manhattan headquarters while using a giant video screen to show the convention as a backdrop raised ethical concerns.

The unconventional setup has been criticized for potentially misleading viewers into believing that top anchors, including Rachel Maddow, are on-site in Milwaukee. The on-the-ground presence of MSNBC in Milwaukee was limited, with only anchors Stephanie Ruhle and Katy Tur, along with reporter Jacob Soboroff, sent to cover the event in person.

Meanwhile, NBC News, MSNBC’s corporate cousin, has sent “TODAY” co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Lester Holt to anchor their coverage directly from Milwaukee.

During the July 15 broadcast, Guthrie interviewed MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who appeared via a split-screen. The LED screen background behind Psaki created the illusion that both anchors were at the convention.

“If news organizations don’t represent where they are clearly, then how is the audience to have faith and confidence in the actual content of the reporting?” media veteran and former CNN Washington Bureau Chief Frank Sesno said. “It can feel like a frivolous thing – oh, well, gee, we’re just using the pictures behind them – but there’s something profoundly important here.”

MSNBC denied the intention of misleading the viewers, claiming that their anchors had made their location clear during those broadcasts. Maddow began the first night by noting they were at MSNBC headquarters in Manhattan, while Chris Hayes greeted viewers from New York during his segment.

“At the top of every broadcast, hosts identify themselves as being in New York or at MSNBC headquarters,” an MSNBC spokesperson said.

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Watch this Feb. 22 episode of “Tucker Carlson Uncensored” as host Tucker Carlson goes into detail regarding the legal actions being levied against former President Donald Trump.

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