Following the controversial and highly criticised CNN town hall featuring Donald Trump, one of the network’s top hosts, Anderson Cooper, addressed the backlash and attempt to justify the event.
The town hall featured Mr Trump in a moderated discussion with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, during which he made numerous false statements, advanced conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, and promised to pardon Capitol rioters charged with crimes for their participation in the insurrection attempt two years ago.
Cooper opened his show, Anderson Cooper 360, by addressing the
town hall and the negative reaction it generated.
He acknowledged
that many viewers expressed “deep anger and disappointment” following the
event.
“Many of you are upset that someone who attempted to
destroy our democracy was invited to sit on the stage in front of a crowd of
Republican voters to answer questions and predictably continued to spew lie
after lie after lie. And I get it. It was disturbing,” he said during the
broadcast.
He acknowledged all of the objectionable statements Mr Trump
made during the town hall — including how he insulted E Jean Carroll, who he
was found guilty of defaming and sexually assaulting, called Ms Collins
“nasty” and labeled the Black police officer who fatally shot Capitol rioter
Ashli Babbitt a “thug” — and said he understood the pushback against CNN
giving Mr Trump a platform to speak.
“Now, many of you think CNN
shouldn’t have given him any platform to speak. And I understand the anger
about that, giving him the audience the time. I get that,” he said.
Mr
Cooper said that viewers “have every right to be outraged today and angry”
and understood if they “never watch this network again.”
He also warned that the town hall’s audience — independents and
Republicans — accounted for approximately half the US population and showed
that Mr Trump could possibly win a second term, as he is “running hard.”
Mr
Cooper then challenged viewers, warning them that staying in echo chambers
will not stop Mr Trump from trying to take power once again.
“Do
you think staying in your silo and only listening to people you agree with
is going to make that person go away? If we all only listen to those we
agree with, it may actually do the opposite. If lives are allowed to go
unchecked, as imperfect as our ability to check them is on a stage in real
time, those lies continue and those lies spread,” he said.
He concluded the segment by reminding viewers they can do
something to prevent Mr Trump from winning in 2024.
“If you’re
angry or upset, I understand, but you have the power to do something about
it. You can actually get involved. You can make a difference,” he said.
“Whatever side of the aisle you’re on after last night none of us can say, I
didn’t know what’s out there. I didn’t know what’s coming.”
