The Grind:
While major networks are showing the Senate Judiciary Committee’s confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, CNN cut away early to instead focus on the coronavirus pandemic.
Around 9;30a.m. Eastern, CNN stopped showing the live hearings taking place on Capitol Hill to talk about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D-NY) targeting of Orthodox Jewish communities in New York (CNN framed it as Cuomo saying he is concerned about “hot spots” in the Hasidic community).
The Details:
As noted in screenshots from Francis Brennan, director of strategic response for the Trump campaign, other outlets, including MSNBC, were airing the hearings live. Fox News, C-Span, MSNBC, Newsmax, and One America News Network were all airing the hearing while CNN covered Cuomo.
At the time of this writing MSNBC continues to air the hearings, though it interjects commentary when the Senate takes breaks, while CNN is suggesting Trump could be a “down-ballot drag” during the 2016 election. CNN’s coverage so far includes its reporters discussing the hearings without actually showing them. During the last break, CNN’s chyron read: “Democrats claim Barrett confirmation is a threat to Obamacare”
Jeff Greenfield, a Politico Magazine columnist and political analyst who has appeared on ABC, CNN, CBS, and PBS, questioned the network’s decision. Read more…