CNN’s Anderson Cooper defended the cable news network from critics who excoriated it for hosting a town hall with former President Donald Trump.
Trump berated moderator Kaitlan Collins for interrupting him and disagreeing with him during the town hall, and he repeated many of the claims that have angered people on the left.
Prior to the town hall event on Wednesday, CNN had been lambasted for giving Trump a platform, but those voices grew even more vociferous during and after the broadcast.
Cooper took time on his show to respond to the angry online mob.
“The man you were so disturbed to see and hear from last night, that man is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president,” said Cooper.
“And according to polling, no other Republican is even close. That man you were so upset to hear from last night, he may be president of the United States in less than two years. And that audience that upset you? That’s a sampling of about half the country,” he added. “They are your family members, your neighbors, and they are voting. And many said they are voting for him.”
Cooper went on to warn the viewers that Trump could very well win again.
“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?” he asked rhetorically.
Many on the left were predictably not enthused about the defense Cooper offered.
“Oh so now Anderson Cooper is gonna gaslight us because CNN F***ed up? Nah. Nah. F*** that. F*** him. F*** this,” responded one critic.
“I don’t need @CNN to tell me who Trump and his army of devotees are. Believe me, our family know. Why are they lecturing us?What the hell is happening over there?” replied activist Rachel Vindman.
“This is horses*** @andersoncooper and the ugliest part is that you know it,” said sports activist Dave Zirin.
“CNN just patted you on the head and said you have to listen to fascists or you’re in a ‘silo’, and choosing not to listen to fascists won’t make them disappear,” read another popular response.
“CNN put a criminal sexual abusing fraudster responsible for a coup against the United States on the air for an hour, backed by hundreds of his cult followers and let them trample their coworker and lie to no end,” said another critic.
Despite the outrage online, CNN garnered enormous ratings with the town hall event.
Here’s the video of Cooper’s defense:
Anderson Cooper addresses criticism about Trump town hallwww.youtube.com
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