David Zaslav, the CEO of CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, defended the ratings-challenged cable network’s decision to broadcast a town hall with former President Donald Trump next week.
“He’s the frontrunner, he has to be on our network,” Zaslav said Friday during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
Zaslav, who has been instrumental in forcing CNN to ditch the left-leaning commentary that kept Trump from appearing on the network for years, said it was important to give the 2024 Republican candidate for president a forum.
“We are a divided government. We need to hear both voices. That’s what you see. Republicans are on the air on CNN, Democrats are on the air. All voices should be heard,” Zaslav added.
The town hall, to be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, will be moderated by CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins.
"Former President Trump is going to be on CNN," says @JoeSquawk.
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) May 5, 2023
"He should be," says $WBD CEO David Zaslav. "We're in divided government. All voices should be heard on #CNN. That's what you see. Republicans and Democrats are on the air. This is a new CNN." pic.twitter.com/9fQ67Mm0bt
Zaslav did not address whether the network would have any system in place to censor or cut off Trump, who has cast doubt on his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden and been blamed for inciting the Jan. 6 riots.
A CNN spokesperson told The Post: “Our job despite his unique circumstances is to do what we do best: Ask tough questions, follow up, and hold him accountable to give voters the information they need to sort through their choices.”
Last week, ABC News admitted to editing out statements anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made about the COVID-19 vaccine during an exclusive interview conducted with the longshot Democratic presidential candidate.
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