
CNN’s Wednesday night Republican Town Hall with President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the liberal ranks, sparking a series of impassioned criticisms. Yet it seems their outcry only reinforces the disconnect between their rhetoric and the sentiments of the average American voter.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) led the charge and lambasted CNN, accusing the network of “platforming election disinformation, defenses of Jan 6th, and a public attack on a victim.” She insisted that the network’s decision to host the former President was “dangerous” and should not be “normalized.”
However, the fiery congresswoman’s protest is more about political theater than any genuine concern for public discourse. Moreover, despite her assertions, there was no indication that the town hall event facilitated any harmful behavior.
Aw. 😕Disgraceful A.M. Joe is upset. 🙄#NoOneCares 😉✌🏼 https://t.co/1WaCtDcPmU
— Sandy 🇺🇸🙏🏼❤️ (@Sandy_L_K) May 11, 2023
Ocasio-Cortez’s sentiments were echoed by the liberal group Call to Action, which indignantly called out CNN for the perceived promotion of Trump’s views. The group’s tweet reflects the same tired narrative of attempting to censor voices that challenge their carefully curated worldview.
Cope and seethe, Sandy.
AOC has the meltdown of ALL meltdowns RAGING at CNN over Trump and it’s even funnier than you’d expecthttps://t.co/r9ruAshahv
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 11, 2023
While the left was busy frothing at the mouth, the conservative community relished the spectacle. The DC Enquirer highlighted the standing ovation Trump received from the audience, showcasing the tangible excitement that the former President still incites among his followers. Far from being a “showcase of lies and distortions,” as the left would have us believe, the event was a refreshing chance for an alternative perspective to break through the mainstream media’s filter.
Even Jonathan Swan of The New York Times acknowledged the event’s success, noting that Trump’s advisors were “thrilled” with the proceedings. The audience’s lively engagement and laughter at Trump’s jokes starkly contrasted with the gloomy picture painted by the left.
Donald Trump just did an hour in the lion’s den on CNN. Taking everything they can dish out at him. I love it. Can you imagine Joe Biden doing an hour on Fox News? Would never happen. Biden legit couldn’t do it. He isn’t mentally or physically capable of doing it.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 11, 2023
Perhaps most intriguing was the response from CNN Chair Chris Licht, who defended the network’s decision to host the event. Far from bowing to left-wing outrage, Licht commended the town hall as a “masterful performance” and asserted that America was served well by the event.
NEW: A visibly defeated Joe Scarborough curses on live air as he reacts to Trump’s town hall on CNN, says it was the worst thing he has seen since January 6th.
“The audience laughed and dismissed cops getting the sh** kicked out of them.”
"What I saw last night was as chilling… pic.twitter.com/WCP9A9PYZj
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 11, 2023
In an era where many media outlets seem to be in lockstep with the liberal agenda, Licht’s comments reflect a surprising, albeit reluctant, acknowledgement of the importance of diverse perspectives. This sentiment, however, is unlikely to sit well with left-leaning figures like Ocasio-Cortez, who appear more comfortable in an echo chamber than in a truly open marketplace of ideas.
This kerfuffle reveals a growing chasm between the left’s narrative and the wider public discourse. As the left continues to vent their outrage, the conservative camp and many independent voters are embracing the dialogue initiated by Trump’s CNN appearance. Far from losing their minds, it seems the conservatives are finding their voice. While it remains to be seen how this will impact the upcoming elections, one thing is certain: the conservative narrative is far from being silenced.