Former President Donald Trump makes his first public appearance Wednesday after being found responsible for sexual battery a day earlier. That question-and-answer session will play out on CNN, with whom the former president has a frosty history.
A Manhattan Federal Court ruled Tuesday the 45th president was liable for sexually abusing, then defaming, writer R. Jean Carroll. Jurors needed only three hours to render a ruling that will cost Trump $5 million. He didn’t testify in his own defense, though videotaped testimony of Trump misidentifying Carroll as his former wife in a photo — after insisting the plaintiff wasn’t his “type” — appeared to seal his fate.
It’s almost certain Trump will be asked Wednesday night about a wide range of topics, including his encounter with Carroll and the ensuing trial. He’s still being investigated over efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election on his behalf in Georgia and an attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters during the certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
CNN also finds itself on the hot seat over its decision to host the former president as he makes his bid to be reelected in 2024. A call to “#BoycottCNN” went viral on social media throughout the afternoon. Trump famously uses television performances to disseminate disinformation and attack his rivals. Throughout his presidency he berated CNN as “Fake News.”
Wednesday’s discussion is hosted by rising CNN star Kaitlan Collins, 31, who served as the networks White House correspondent during Trump’s presidency. She previously worked for the Tucker Carlson-founded right-wing outlet The Daily Caller. Collins became a co-host on “CNN This Morning” in December.
CNN’s ratings have struggled in 2023 amid numerous changes at the anchor desk. Nielsen reports the cable news channel’s prime time ratings plummeted 61% in March. Former CBS executive Chris Licht took over the network last year vowing programming would focus on “informing, not alarming our viewers,” according to a memo obtained by The Hill.
The network defended its decision to host Trump in a statement to the Us.Mistertruth.
“President Trump is the Republican frontrunner, and our job despite his unique circumstances is to do what we do best,” CNN said. “Ask tough questions, follow up, and hold him accountable to give voters the information they need to sort through their choices. That is our role and our responsibility.”
Watchdog group Media Matter for America President Angelo Carusone said he understands CNN’s point about Trump being the GOP frontrunner, but calls the town hall “risky business” and urges the network to challenge the former U.S. president.
“Nothing he will say will be new. So, if CNN lets him get away with it unchallenged, they have no excuse,” Carusone told the Us.Mistertruth in a statement. “CNN isn’t being graded on a curve here.”
Wednesday’s town hall takes place at 8 p.m. at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire.