CNN anchor Kasie Hunt abruptly ended a live interview with Karoline Leavitt, then serving as national press secretary for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The interruption occurred after Leavitt criticized CNN’s upcoming debate moderators, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, alleging bias against Trump.
During the interview on *CNN This Morning*, Hunt inquired about the Trump campaign’s expectations for President Joe Biden in the forthcoming debate. Leavitt responded by asserting that Trump was entering a “hostile environment” on CNN, referencing the moderators’ purportedly biased coverage over the past eight years. She specifically mentioned that a quick search would reveal Tapper’s consistent negative commentary about Trump.
Hunt defended her colleagues, stating, “Jake Tapper and Dana Bash have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle.” She cautioned Leavitt against further attacks on the moderators, emphasizing the need to focus on the debate’s substance. When Leavitt persisted, Hunt ended the interview, stating, “Ma’am, we’re going to stop this interview if you’re going to keep attacking my colleagues,” as reported on Real Clear Politics.
Following the incident, Leavitt claimed that CNN’s actions demonstrated the network’s bias and unfair treatment of Trump. She stated, “CNN cutting off my microphone for bringing up a debate moderator’s history of anti-Trump lies just proves our point that President Trump will not be treated fairly in Thursday’s debate.”
CNN stood by its moderators, with a spokesperson highlighting Tapper and Bash’s extensive experience in political journalism and debate moderation. The network expressed confidence in their ability to facilitate a fair and substantive discussion during the upcoming debate scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta.
The incident sparked reactions across the political spectrum, with some praising Hunt’s decision to uphold journalistic standards, while others criticized CNN for perceived censorship.
Watch the video of Karoline Leavitt being cut off on CNN:
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