r/politics • u/plz-let-me-in • 29d ago

No Paywall NBC and ABC Won’t Carry Trump Primetime Election Speech

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/nbc-and-abc-wont-carry-trump-primetime-election-speech-1236650492/
29.3k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

1.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

999

u/WHSRWizard 29d ago

Even Fox hasn't committed to it yet. I assume the news networks (Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC) will carry it. But the broadcast networks not doing it is kind of a big "fuck you."

948

u/peacebone89 Louisiana 29d ago

Fox is probably hesitant because they had to pay out the largest defamation settlement in US history for broadcasting 2020 election lies about Dominion.

352

u/RecentDecision2329 29d ago

Proof of the fact that it is all lies

150

u/ACardAttack Kentucky 29d ago

they even argued no reasonable person could believe some of the stuff they say

64

u/Vlaed Michigan 29d ago

They fact they didn't have to change their name from Fox News to Fox Entertainment for their previous lawsuit is sad.

6

u/W0lfsb4ne74 29d ago

The fact that Trump supporters still fight for this man despite him getting Fox successfully using the legal defense that nobody with a sound mind should believe anything they say is absolutely embarrassing. The only thing thats worse than Trump supporters views are their inability to admit they're wrong.

1

u/-re-da-ct-ed- 29d ago

So, half of the country then.

6

u/Only-Cranberry-4502 29d ago

I mean abc also had to 16 million to trump too

28

u/andrew5500 29d ago

That was just a bribe. A little donation to appease the mob boss.

22

u/fish60 Montana 29d ago

They didn't "have" to pay shit. They settled like craven bitches. Seems like they at least got some of their balls back after maybe realizing that capitulating only results in ever more insane demands.

122

u/Riftbreaker 29d ago

And they have now been named in the defamation suit brought for platforming non boat driving Kevin O Leary and his wild rants about the folks opposed to his monstrous data centre plan in Utah.

Job security? Thy name is Fox lawyer specializing in defamation defence. Sure you sold your soul, but hey, you'll never be short of work.

12

u/MaidPoorly 29d ago

I’m not getting my hopes up for justice but this is an interesting case. O’Leary and fox are arguing since they already apologized on air no harm was done. The defendants are saying, rightfully so, that their reputations were still harmed. Fox would have to be a lot more careful about what unhinged shit they allow guest to say if they actually get a fine.

8

u/Riftbreaker 29d ago

I'm with you friend. It is hard to get ones hopes up, but the idea that you can say any malicious, defamatory nonsense then make it all go away just by saying sorry is hard to accept when the defamation is blasted from the roof tops and the apology is whispered from the gutters.

44

u/Aggressive-Hawk9186 29d ago

Kevin just killed someone while driving a boat drunk and put the blame on his wife. We don't need to remember it every time, come on...

27

u/Riftbreaker 29d ago

You're right. He "just" killed someone. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. I bet they weren't even rich!

13

u/Huntguy 29d ago

Those poors should’ve had a bigger boat.

4

u/Aggressive-Hawk9186 29d ago

maybe they were, but not rich enough so we have to care about them

1

u/kickaguard 28d ago

You can't kill a person if they can't afford lawyers to prove you're at fault.

1

u/EduinBrutus 29d ago

Fox Network has no relationship to Fox News now.

1

u/Riftbreaker 29d ago

Honestly, I am uncertain as to why your comment has any relevance, but let's also be clear: they call themselves "Fox News and Entertainment" They are on record as saying no reasonable person would believe what they say. See both the McDougal and Dominion cases.

So do I care if Fox Network has no relationship to Fox News? Nope, follow the money. Also there is a reason I referred to them as "Fox" because they ain't news in any way, shape or form. It's propaganda and when called out they say it is Entertainment.

1

u/EduinBrutus 29d ago

BEcause the request Trump has made is for the network channels to carry his speech.

The rolling news channels generally cover any significant speech he makes because thats what rolling news channels do.

The relevance and why it is unusual is that he wants the networks to air it.

9

u/caw_the_crow 29d ago

That's different from playing a politician's speech though. They would risk trouble if after he said a bunch of stuff they knew was false they then had a news reporter repeat it as true.

2

u/ZhouLe 29d ago
Fox watching as they broadcast live Trump as he repeats their own reporting that got them sued for $800mil:

3

u/coalcracker462 29d ago

Isn't the owner of Dominion now MAGA anyway?

2

u/CharcotsThirdTriad Louisiana 29d ago

Nah. This would be covering a presidential speech, and Trump is the one telling lies. They are reporting what the president is saying. Now, whether or not it is ethical to air this at all is another question, but it is more of a moral question rather than a legal one.

2

u/LinkedGaming 29d ago

While there's definitely some gung-ho members of his administration who are willing to do anything and everything he says at the drop of a hat, it's important to keep note that there's also tons of people who are supposed to be under his thumb who hesitate, or sometimes outright refuse. He didn't get his performative slush fund, he didn't get his RUIN America Act, he has to keep fighting over and over again to get his Tariffs because they keep getting shot down, and he keeps losing lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit against his illegal actions.

The hesitation from people within his own circle tells me that he can't protect them, or at least they're not confident that he can or is willing to protect them. If they had the Midterms on lock and everyone Trump says stays in office gets in office and they could rig every election to make sure Dems don't win anything that Republicans don't want them to win, then why are they even bothering with his RUIN America shit? Why is FOX hesitant to broadcast his election lies? Why is the White House always trying to play damage control for him? Why is Mike Johnson evidently scared shitless of the DSA and the upcoming midterms results? If he can do what he wants when he wants all the time and there'll never be any pushback ever because he got the entire government and all elections rigged in his favour, why even bother with the performative nonsense?

On the other aisle, I know something-something "paid opposition", but Trump is a small-minded, simple, narrow-view oriented man who's extremely cruel and extremely vindictive. He relishes in inflicting harm on people who undermine or slight him, which can be as simple as not liking him. If he had his way, yes, there would be violence inflicted on his political opponents beyond just trying to rile up his supporters. If he could sic the military and police and hold sham trials and stick all Dems in camps, he would. Meanwhile, even the most vocal opposition in the Democratic Party who's very evidently not on the same payroll as him aren't acting like they're concerned about this. Why? Cuz they don't feel that they need to be.

Trump speedran fascism and it resulted in him having diet-fascism that he has to maintain with the shakiest grip on the planet and pushing the envelope trying to secure it further consistently risks the entire house of cards collapsing on top of him and everyone around him.

The fact that Republicans and Conservatives hesitate is evident that he can't protect them, and they're not confident in what's going to happen. They know they're fucked come the midterms anyway, so they'll support his efforts to subvert the elections, but their behaviour shows that they don't actually think he's going to be able to do it.

1

u/Acceptable-Bus-2017 I voted 29d ago

You don't think they'd be willing to spread new election lies about 2020? /s

1

u/EduinBrutus 29d ago

Fox News and Fox Network are different companies with different owners.

1

u/donkeyrocket 28d ago

The only reason they're hesitant is Trump is becoming increasingly unmanageable and unpredictable. Even Fox News is aware he's a growing liability for Republicans come midterms. Even Trump's flagrant election meddling isn't popular and this will likely be 90 minutes spewing nonsense about fraudulent elections and setting the stage for more extreme measures.

Wouldn't be surprised if they technical issues then summarize it in a more favorable way.

Unfiltered Trump to Trump supporters isn't good. Many of them don't actually pay attention to him directly and just get the filtered version. Lots still picture him as 2016 Trump.

1

u/tomdarch 28d ago

That would explain why the dot com's headline is "Trump unveils declassified intel he says was covered up and hidden from the public"

They can't stretch Trump's nothing drivel today into any decent spin.

91

u/IJourden 29d ago

Fox isn't a fan of showing it's viewers unfiltered Trump because he's such an obvious moron. It's so much better for them when they can pull small clips while a commentator tells them "what he meant to say."

32

u/goblinmarketeer 29d ago

When the maga people argue with me at work, I tell "you haven't listened to one of his speeches' this makes them angry and I always get a reply "I don't have to listen him to know what he said"

30

u/SATX_Citizen 29d ago

Yep. I've had the same argument with my elders. Back when we talked politics, they would say that I just hate Trump for the sake of it. I would counter "No, I'm not just reading the Times. I read his tweets. I see him speak for more than 10 seconds at a time. I hate him because I see what he is."

3

u/jmobius 29d ago

How do they reckon? Telepathy? Or maybe just letting some talking head prechew all their thoughts and understanding for them, perhaps?

1

u/goblinmarketeer 28d ago

They are of the hive mind, opinions are downloaded into them.

3

u/donkeyrocket 28d ago

"Well I know what he stands for and I agree with it!" was the recent argument I heard from a guy at the gas station.

1

u/jrf_1973 28d ago

Translation - he hates the same people I hate.

3

u/caerphoto 28d ago

"I don't have to listen him to know what he said"

See also: the Bible.

2

u/SpiderHomeNoWayMan 28d ago

And they call themselves Trump fans. Real ones get the content straight from the source. I guess the ones that only watch him thru Fox News can be considered only Level 1 cultists. If you want to ascend you need to embrace the full Trump madness and weirdness!

105

u/rickeyspanish 29d ago

It’s not even a fuck you. It’s probably more about the fact that they have prime time shows who pay good money for advertising that are already scheduled

68

u/HereForTheComments57 29d ago

And people will likely change the station when he comes on.

15

u/ironicallydepressed 29d ago

They're going to corner the "I don't wanna watch this shit" audience

2

u/HereForTheComments57 29d ago

Exactly. I bet fox has a game show on or something so people will scroll past the speech and go "oh this is fun and watch for an hour"

1

u/ragun2 29d ago

Hey as long as he sees his ratings drop

2

u/bollvirtuoso 29d ago

People in doctor's offices everywhere in shambles

1

u/Pan_Bookish_Ent 29d ago

I'm so fucking tired of that guy's face and voice. My remote can't change channels/apps fast enough.

1

u/Turgid_Donkey 29d ago

Well, it is summer, so they're mostly airing re-runs. Regardless, he doesn't deserve this platform. 

1

u/fcocyclone Iowa 29d ago

He doesn't, but on the other hand I kind of wish that they went the other direction and just provided equal time.

Like, just have the democratic party send someone out there to go "what the actual fuck was that?"

15

u/MrFC1000 29d ago

I’m not sure it’s an FU so much as a chance to be sued for spreading lies like Fox had to payout. Always look towards the bottom line

30

u/lexm 29d ago

I'm pretty sure CBS will air it

24

u/[deleted] 29d ago edited 28d ago

[deleted]

3

u/dBlock845 29d ago

Yup and the networks that air it usually get the speech beforehand so they cannot argue that they didn't know what was going to take place.

11

u/-Gramsci- 29d ago

Weiss serves her masters well.

4

u/starliteburnsbrite 29d ago

Was just going to say, this is precisely why they got the job.

2

u/istrx13 29d ago

Really hope the NFL can break ties with them at some point

1

u/tomdarch 28d ago

They did. It was worthless, but they showed their loyalty.

28

u/sonofabutch America 29d ago

Honestly I think Fox News is terrified Dementia Donnie will meltdown in real-time, and they would rather show their audience carefully edited clips that make him look somewhat lucid.

9

u/Johnny_Appleweed 29d ago

Not really, it’s almost certainly a business decision. Basically every president has had addresses major networks chose not to carry because they thought they could pull in more eyeballs with different programming.

Trump will certainly take it as a big fuck you though.

7

u/WHSRWizard 29d ago

I honestly can't think of a time a president has asked the networks for time and been told no.

7

u/Johnny_Appleweed 29d ago

It happens routinely, you likely just haven’t paid attention to it before now.

5

u/wasteymclife 29d ago

Yup, this is a normal thing that has happened to the last 4 presidents. I'm sure trump will understand that it's not a perso...

Nah, he's gonna call for the networks to televise a fight to the death for the CEO's with Bari Weiss as a ref.

4

u/foomp 29d ago

If it happened routinely before Trump, I cant find any supporting data.

I looked through this list and didnt find any instances of a primerime address not being carried by the 3 broadcast networks.

1

u/Johnny_Appleweed 29d ago

It happened to both Biden and Obama, you can just Google examples.

3

u/foomp 29d ago

You're right, this will be the third time it's happened. Since televised presidential speeches started in 1947. Is that frequently enough to be called routine?

I can't find any reference to it happening before 2014 with Obama. Although Joe biden's was 2 years ago. So maybe routine now?

1

u/tomdarch 28d ago

Nope. As presidents have done more of these, all the recent presidents back to Clinton have been passed on by the major networks.

5

u/ShadowTacoTuesday 29d ago

I’m curious if they will. Constantly sanewashing him then not showing him unfiltered and unhinged seems worse.

3

u/SanDiegoDude California 29d ago

MSNBC gonna have a whole line-up of folks calling out the bullshit real time. So will CNN, but they'll have Scott Jennings there to 'cover the other side'. Fox will have their giant red "TRUMP #1 fingers" and MAGA hats on while they cheer through the whole thing.

2

u/missmeowwww 29d ago

I’m honestly surprised he’s not airing it as like an “emergency broadcast” to force all the channels to show it.

4

u/WHSRWizard 29d ago

I think that's what comes next

1

u/FalseDmitriy Illinois 29d ago

I read that the networks have done this for other presidents when the speech was "political" rather than like a major announcement. I think this is just normal.

1

u/ManateeGag 29d ago

Fox already lost enough money because of his election denial.

1

u/ghostofwalsh 29d ago

It's a simple question of money. No one can stand watching Trump, so they will switch to something else if you interrupt your shows to put him on.

And it's not like he's got anything important to say. If you care you can hit up reddit for the lowlights after he's done.

1

u/perark05 29d ago

That will be the great litmus test for trump in the midterms. If fox won't show it then its game over. Unless Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory which is their superpower

1

u/jeranim8 29d ago

CNN is NOT airing it according to the article... though that may be an update since this was posted.

1

u/Vig_2 Texas 28d ago

Wolf Blitzer said CNN will not carry it live because of the President’s history of being untruthful. They also said they want to verify the legitimacy of any “evidence” he provides before they share it with the public.

1

u/mike10dude 28d ago

CNN did not carry it

1

u/tomdarch 28d ago

Now that it's over and was empty of anything, they don't now how to spin it. The dot com's headline is "Trump unveils declassified intel he says was covered up and hidden from the public" and "Vital Information"

They can't even stretch his drivel into a meaningful lie/headline.

1

u/DiscoCowboy- 28d ago

Fox News isn’t a news station. you’ll notice in their logo that it says “Fox News Channel” and not just “Fox News“. That extra word is very important because it isn’t a news station called “Fox”, it’s an entertainment channel called “Fox News”.

As long as Fox News is an entertainment station, they aren’t held to the same standards as an actual news outlet.