CNN removed Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt from an interview on “CNN This Morning” after she criticized the network’s debate moderators, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, for biased coverage.
Leavitt highlighted Trump’s preparedness for the upcoming debate and his commitment to conveying his vision to voters.
“…President Trump is well-prepared ahead of Thursday’s debates. Unlike Joe Biden, he doesn’t have to hide away and have his advisers tell him what to say,” Leavitt said.
“President Trump knows what he wants to say, and he’s going to relay his vision to the American people to make this country strong, safe, secure and wealthy again. He’s been doing that across this great nation to all corners of this country. That’s why he was in Detroit, Michigan last week. He was in Philadelphia for a big rally on Saturday night,” she said.
“And that’s why President Trump is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network, on CNN, with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well known over the past eight years and their biased coverage of him,” she added.
The exchange became heated as the anchor defended her colleagues’ professionalism, leading to the abrupt end of the interview.
“So President Trump is willing to bring his message to every corner of this country to voters to ensure that he wins this election in November. He looks forward to doing that. And I know the American public look forward to hearing from him,” Leavitt added.
“So. So I’ll just say, my colleagues, that Jake Tapper and Dana Bash have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle,” CNN’s Kasie Hunt said.
“I’ll also say that if you talk to analysts of debates, previous, that if you’re attacking the moderators, you’re usually losing.”
“So he’s basically saying there, well, will I let Joe Biden win? It does seem as though many Republicans have set the bar very low in terms of arguing that Joe Biden is basically senile,” Hunt said regarding a clip of Trump.
“Now you have people like Doug Burgum coming out and saying, well, President Biden’s very accomplished, trying to set expectations in a different place. What do you expect from Joe Biden?”
“Well, first of all, it’s it’s it takes about five minutes to Google Jake Tapper, Donald Trump to see that Jake Tapper has,” Leavitt began.
“Ma’am, we’re going to stop this interview if you’re going to keep attacking my colleagues,” Hunt cut in.
“…I’m going to stop you if you continue to attack my colleagues. I would like to talk about Joe–.”
“I have stated,” Leavitt began.
“-and Donald Trump, who you work for– yes. If you are here to speak on his behalf I am willing to have this conversation,” Hunt said.
“I am stating facts that your colleagues have stated in the past,” Leavitt said.
“Now I’m sorry. We’re going to come back after the panel. Karoline, thanks very much for your time. You are welcome to come back at any point,” Hunt said, ending the interview.
“She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump. And Donald Trump will have equal time to Joe Biden when they both join us now at next. Early later this week in Atlanta for this debate. Our thanks to Karoline.”
Leavitt’s removal occurred just days before the first presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, raising tensions over media bias and debate expectations.
CNN cuts off @kleavittnh after she calls out Jake Tapper's anti-Trump history.
Unbelievable. Now we know for certain that Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will be running interference for crooked Joe Biden on Thursday.
3-on-1 but Trump will still win!
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) June 24, 2024