Dem columnist says ‘ratings hungry’ networks have to air Trump speech

Democratic analyst and columnist Jonathan Harris said the TV networks have agreed to air President Trump’s prime-time address on Tuesday because they are desperate for ratings. 

“I think they’re ratings hungry,” Harris told Hill.TV’s Krystal Ball and Buck Sexton on “Rising.”

“They know that Trump is a clown and a circus, and a circus always does well,” he continued. “So whatever he does, people are going to be watching.”

CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Fox Business and CNN all confirmed to The Hill on Monday that they will air the prime-time address on Tuesday. 

Most networks have also confirmed they will air the Democratic response to Trump’s address, which will be delivered by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). 

In 2014, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX all declined to air former President Obama’s address on immigration policy because it was expected to be political, according to The Washington Post. 

— Julia Manchester


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