Networks Skip Trump’s Primetime Speech on Election Security

ABC News, NBC News, and CNN opted not to broadcast President Donald Trump’s primetime speech live on Thursday. The speech addressed election security and perceived vulnerabilities during the 2020 election. Trump claimed ‘vital information’ about the 2020 election was hidden from the public. He accused China of interfering in the election, alleging that newly declassified documents suggested the Chinese Communist Party tried to prevent his reelection. The documents also reportedly contained FBI intelligence claiming China attempted to produce illegal ballots for Joe Biden.

Prior to the address, several networks made plans for handling Trump’s remarks. Trump released declassified election intelligence, stating it highlighted ‘shocking vulnerabilities.’

ABC, NBC, and CNN decided not to air Trump’s speech live. A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital the network planned to monitor the speech and provide analysis and commentary. CNN made the speech available on its website and streaming platform. Anchor John King explained the decision, citing Trump’s history of misleading statements on elections, adding that CNN aimed to verify the declassified documents.

ABC News streamed Trump’s speech and broadcast it on ABC News Radio. NBC News included the address in its streaming platform and aired special reports later. Both networks provided recaps of Trump’s statements shortly after his speech during their regular programming. ABC and NBC stations owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group did air the speech live.

Throughout his speech, Trump criticized ABC and NBC, calling them ‘fake news.’ He accused them of avoiding the topic due to corruption in the system and a desire to conceal it. Trump suggested that such alleged fraud should lead to a revocation of their licenses, noting they use public airwaves without financial obligation.

ABC News and NBC News did not respond immediately to requests for comment. CBS News aired a special report that offered analysis before partially broadcasting the speech. Meanwhile, some outlets like MS NOW carried the speech’s initial segment before switching to commentary. Fox News aired the entire speech.

Skipping presidential addresses is not new. Networks bypassed President Barack Obama’s 2014 speech on immigration and President Joe Biden’s 2022 speech in Philadelphia targeting MAGA Republicans.