CNN Reporter Puts NBC On Blast For Hosting GOP Debate With Org That ‘Has Legitimized Radical Voices’
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy criticized NBC News’ decision to host a Republican debate partnered with several conservative organizations he accused of having “a history peddling and profiting off extremist rhetoric” on Monday.
The RNC announced this week that NBC News would host the third Republican primary debate, which is set to take place in Miami, Florida on November 8. The RNC also announced that the conservative Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and YouTube alternative Rumble would serve as the official partners of the third debate, with Rumble to host its own live stream of the event online.
In the Monday edition of CNN’s Reliable Sources newsletter, Darcy wrote that it was “striking that NBC News would agree to link arms with such organizations” — specifically Salem Radio Network and Rumble, which he accused of having “a history peddling and profiting off extremist rhetoric.”
Darcy argued that while CNN had also partnered with Salem Radio Network for four Republican debates in 2016, the organization had “legitimized radical voices in recent years” since.
“In 2023, it is defined by a stable of MAGA Media personalities, such as Charlie Kirk, Dinesh D’Souza, Sebastian Gorka, and Jenna Ellis — right-wing figures who have espoused incendiary views, pushed dangerous conspiracy theories and told outright lies about the 2020 election,” claimed Darcy. “Do they really want to associate themselves with and — as a result — help legitimize companies that are in the business of mainlining extremism to the American public? Is doing so really worth hosting a debate which the party frontrunner will likely refuse to participate in?”
Darcy — who publicly criticized his own network for hosting a town hall with former President Donald Trump in May — concluded, “NBC News has made its decision. Now it’s up to other news organizations to do so as well.”
NBC News also received criticism from one of its own senior reporters, Ben Collins, who shared Darcy’s newsletter on X and joked, “I love my business partners Glenn Greenwald and Dinesh D’Souza,” as well as former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, who tweeted, “Massaging Trump DID get NBC the next GOP debate. And it has to partner with Rumble and Salem. Where are MSNBC’s voices, protesting? Rachel?”
NBC News, meanwhile, made it clear in an article that it was the RNC and not NBC News, that “selected” Salem Radio Network and Rumble as partners for the debate.
The upcoming debate was also criticized by conservatives on Monday, who objected to NBC News being chosen as the host.
“NBC, which ran the Russia collusion scam, the Kavanaugh rape scam, hid news about the Biden Family Business, and constantly runs anti-GOP propaganda is rewarded by the RNC with a debate. Why not?” tweeted Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway, while former Trump national security adviser Gen. Mike Flynn wrote, “Those who run the RNC are either fools or totally out of touch with their electorate.”
Newsmax host Rob Schmitt protested, “NBC is basically the propaganda arm of the DNC. And they’re getting a Repub debate,” while Trump-favorite social media influencer Catturd called the decision “Un-freaking-real.”
