The former president during Wednesday night’s CNN event vowed to pardon Jan. 6 insurrectionists, said only “very stupid” people accept the results of the 2020 election, called moderator Kaitlan Collins a “nasty person” and mocked the woman who a jury found was sexually abused by Trump.
Critics slammed the network as “shameful” for even hosting the event, which Cooper admitted was “disturbing” and “awful.” He also said it was “disturbing” to hear the audience “laugh and applaud his lies.”
“Many of you think CNN shouldn’t have given him any platform to speak, and I understand the anger about that,” Cooper said. “But this is what I also get: The man you were so disturbed to see and hear last night? That man is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president.”
Cooper then pushed back at critics who don’t want to hear from Trump ― and don’t want CNN giving him the platform.
“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. “If we all only listened to those we agree with, it may actually do the opposite.”
"If you're angry or upset, I understand, but you have the power to do something about it." Listen to CNN's @andersoncooper discuss the CNN Republican presidential town hall with Donald Trump, as Manu Raju and Jessica Dean share the GOP reaction to the former president. Watch: pic.twitter.com/wzcrUoHEt1
— CNN (@CNN) May 12, 2023
CNN’s critics are pointing out that Trump’s behavior is perfectly consistent with everything he’s said and done since announcing his first run for president in 2015 ― and that all CNN did was give him a prime-time platform to continue to spread those lies.
They called out Cooper and the network on Twitter:
This is incredible bullshit from @andersoncooper – the idea that producing a live Trump rally with is somehow "breaking down silos" is patently ridiculous. Absurd. Offensive. Deeply stupid. I'm embarrassed for him. https://t.co/380v4pt42T
— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) May 12, 2023
We’re not in a “silo”, @andersoncooper. @CNN has been shoving this Nazi down our throats for 8 long, sickening years. We’re aware if what this “other side” is. Are YOU? Read the room. https://t.co/2TJnukB4P6
— Cheri Jacobus (@CheriJacobus) May 12, 2023
I love you @andersoncooper. But that's not the choice. We hear Trump every day. His social media posts are reproduced. News stations & newspapers carry his statements & report on his every move. His followers lead the House of Representatives, and many state houses. https://t.co/vRC0Nh127K
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) May 12, 2023
This reflects a lack of imagination. The arg is not that media should not cover Trump or what he does. Instead, media must be more thoughtful in its coverage and platforming of Trump, lest they become the de facto production company for disinformation & anti-democratic rhetoric. https://t.co/ZJM0oababy
— Hakeem Jefferson (@hakeemjefferson) May 12, 2023
Such nonsense, Cooper was just faking anger in the hopes that he would become relevant again, nobody listens to him any longer! No one but other propagandists care what Cooper says!