CNN host Anderson Cooper gave an opening monologue stating he would understand if viewers stopped watching the network CNN altogther following Trump’s town hall.
CNN invited President Trump to hold a town hall on Wednesday, but despite the network’s best efforts to set traps for Trump with their “nasty” CNN host Kaitlan Collins, it ultimately backfired.
While CNN upset its base, the network attracted 3.1 million viewers, demolishing Fox News and MSNBC in both total viewers and the highly coveted 25-54 age demographic.
In the key 25- to 54-year-old demo, the town hall averaged 703,000, about five times higher than CNN's typical performance at 8pm.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 11, 2023
However, Anderson Cooper was so angry about the Town Hall he refused even to say Trump’s name, only calling him “that man.”
“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,” Copper said.
“But this is what I also get. The man you were so disturbed to see and hear from last night, that man is the front runner for the Republican nomination for president,” he added.
“And according to polling, no other Republican is even close,” Copper continued.
“That man you were so upset to hear from last night, he may be President of the United States in less than two years,” said Cooper.
“You have every right to be outraged today and angry and never watch this network again. But do you think staying in your silo and only listening to people you agree with is going to make that person go away?” Cooper added.
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JUST IN: Anderson Cooper gives wild opening monologue, telling his audience he understands if they never watch CNN ever again.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 12, 2023
“You have every right to be outraged today and angry and never watch this network again. But do you think staying in your silo and only listening to… pic.twitter.com/xZXYSwtAoF
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) also had a meltdown about Trump’s town hall, blasting the network for hosting the event.
“CNN should be ashamed of themselves,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
“They have lost total control of this ‘town hall’ to again be manipulated into platforming election disinformation, defenses of Jan 6th, and a public attack on a sexual abuse victim. The audience is cheering him on and laughing at the host.”
CNN should be ashamed of themselves.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 11, 2023
They have lost total control of this “town hall” to again be manipulated into platforming election disinformation, defenses of Jan 6th, and a public attack on a sexual abuse victim.
The audience is cheering him on and laughing at the host.
WATCH: Most Incredible Moment of Trump’s CNN Town Hall Appearance Was When Cameras Stopped Rolling