CNN in turmoil over Trump town hall.

Anderson Cooper Defends CNN’s Decision to Host Trump Town Hall

Disturbing Event

Anderson Cooper, a veteran CNN host, called the network’s May 10 presidential town hall event with Donald Trump “disturbing” and told viewers that they “have every right to be angry and never watch this network again.”

During the opening monologue of his CNN show “Anderson Cooper 360°,” Cooper acknowledged that many viewers were upset about giving Trump a platform to speak. However, he defended the network’s decision, pointing out that Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president and that no other Republican is even close, according to polling.

Sampling of Half the Country

Cooper also criticized his own network’s decision to put mostly Republican voters in the audience. He said that it was “disturbing” to hear the audience laugh and applaud Trump’s lies and continued defamation of a woman who accused him of sexual abuse and defamation. Cooper was referencing a Manhattan jury’s May 9 decision that Trump is liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a federal suit filed by E. Jean Carroll.

Cooper suggested that Trump voters may be too sizeable to ignore and that viewers have the power to do something about it. He urged Americans to get out and vote, regardless of which side of the aisle they are on.

Controversial Broadcast

The controversial, 70-minute broadcast brought struggling CNN 3.3 million viewers, beating rivals Fox News and MSNBC. However, Cooper pointed out that it was disturbing to hear Trump speak so highly of QAnon conspirators and insurrectionists who assaulted police officers and our democracy on January 6. It was also awful to hear him spread ridiculous lies about the election.

Preferred Candidate

According to the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll, Trump is the preferred candidate for 62% of right-wing voters, a wide margin above No. 2, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had 20% support.

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. Let’s keep an open mind and stay informed.

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