MSNBC Host Accuses CNN of Double Standards After Trump's Town Hall Appearance

MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace has criticized CNN for apparent double standards, following their decision to air former President Donald Trump's comments, which she labeled as "misogynistic," during a recent town hall event. The criticism comes on the heels of CNN's dismissal of anchor Don Lemon over his own remarks perceived as misogynistic.

Discussing the issue on her show "Deadline: White House", Wallace pointed out the contradiction in CNN's decision-making. "CNN recently — very publicly — parted ways with anchor Don Lemon over a comment on his broadcast perceived as misogynistic," Wallace stated. "Yet, those same managers chose to broadcast Trump’s misogynistic comments about E. Jean Carroll, potentially inviting more defamation suits."

The controversy surrounding Don Lemon erupted following his on-air assertion that Nikki Haley, a 51-year-old GOP presidential candidate, was “not in her prime.” Lemon was subsequently dismissed from CNN by April, expressing his shock and dissatisfaction on Twitter.

Meanwhile, during the town hall event, Trump, who was recently found liable for sexual abuse and defamation by a Manhattan jury following a suit filed by Carroll, made comments about the accuser that Wallace suggested could trigger another defamation suit. "He goes on to say, 'What kind of a woman meets somebody and brings them up and within minutes, you’re playing hanky-panky in a dressing room, OK? I don’t know if she was married then or not.'" Wallace quoted.

MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan criticized the town hall event as "depressing," particularly targeting CNN's handling of the situation and the role of the moderator, Kaitlan Collins. "I thought CNN would have some kind of plan for the night," Hasan said, implying the network was ill-prepared for the event.

Joy Reid, host of MSNBC's "The ReidOut," went further, claiming the town hall event demonstrated CNN's aspiration to become the new home for Republican viewers, likening it to a "blatant fascism meets 'The Jerry Springer Show.'"

Despite the criticism, the town hall event appears to have been a ratings success for CNN. Garnering 3.3 million viewers, the broadcast marked one of the network's highest-rated programs in recent years, surpassing rival networks Fox News and MSNBC during the same timeslot.