On Tuesday night, August 10th, CNN hosted a forum with former President Donald Trump, where the network discussed a range of issues with him, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and the 2020 election. The forum was moderated by Anderson Cooper and included questions from a live audience.
The event was highly anticipated and drew significant attention from the media and the public alike. Many were curious about how CNN would handle a conversation with a former president who has been known to be combative with the press. However, the forum was seen by many as a preview of the political coverage to come as the 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential election approach.
CNN has been criticized by some for its coverage of Trump in the past, with many accusing the network of giving him too much airtime during the 2016 presidential election. However, the network has also been praised for its coverage of Trump’s presidency, with reporters such as Jim Acosta becoming household names for their coverage of the administration.
The forum with Trump was seen by some as an attempt by CNN to distance itself from its reputation as a liberal-leaning network and to provide balanced coverage of both parties leading up to the upcoming elections. The network has also hired several conservative commentators in recent years, including former Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller.
The forum itself was somewhat contentious, with Trump at times pushing back against Cooper’s questions and accusing CNN of being biased against him. However, the event was largely civil, and many viewers felt that it provided a valuable opportunity to hear from Trump directly on a range of issues.
Overall, the CNN forum with Trump was a notable event that highlighted the network’s ongoing efforts to provide balanced political coverage. As the 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential election approach, it will be interesting to see how CNN and other news outlets continue to navigate the often contentious world of political coverage.