CNN Head Chris Licht Knew Trump Town Hall Crowd Was Filled With MAGA Supporters, Told Trump to ‘Have Fun’
Licht #Licht
Before former President Donald Trump took the stage for his televised town hall in May, CNN CEO Chris Licht reportedly told him to “Have fun.” That’s just one of the shocking details that’s emerged from reporter Tim Alberta’s recent profile of the executive for The Atlantic.
It’s also not the only revelation that’s emerged about this event. According to Alberta’s reporting, Licht knew that the crowd’s makeup skewed more towards MAGA enthusiasts than the “GOP-leaning independents” CNN originally claimed would occupy these seats. Ahead of the town hall, Licht even made a comment to his deputies about the crowd being “extra Trumpy.” Licht also reportedly told his journalists that “the way to deal with a bully like Trump… was to confront him with facts.”
In May of 2022, Licht made a point of meeting with prominent lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle. According to The Atlantic, he also told his employees that the media empire had “lost its way under former president Jeff Zucker” and that CNN’s approach to Trump had “alienated a broader viewership that craved sober, fact-driven coverage.” Trump’s town hall was part of Licht’s attempt to reconnect with Republican voters.
Instead of winning back Republicans after six years of Trump calling the network “fake news,” the divisive town hall infuriated Republicans, Democrats and Licht’s own journalists.
More to come…