CNN commentator Scott Jennings stirred up the newsroom during a recent segment by defending President-elect Donald Trump’s lawsuits against media organizations accused of spreading misinformation. The controversial lawsuits, including one against the Des Moines Register over a pre-election poll, have reignited debates about press accountability in the age of hyper-partisan reporting.
Trump’s legal action targets a poll by renowned surveyor Ann Selzer, which claimed that Kamala Harris was leading in Iowa. Despite the poll’s bold prediction, Trump won the state by double digits, leaving many questioning the integrity of the data. This lawsuit follows Trump’s $16 million settlement with ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos over allegedly misleading coverage.
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Jennings Defends Trump’s Push for Accountability
During Tuesday’s CNN NewsNight, host Abby Phillip asked Jennings if Trump’s lawsuits set a dangerous precedent. Jennings, unshaken, offered a compelling defense.
“I think one of the reasons Republicans are cheering this on is because they feel like media organizations consistently go the extra mile to create false narratives that influence elections,” Jennings argued.
He pointed specifically to the Des Moines Register poll, which was widely promoted as evidence of Harris’s momentum. “When that poll came out, the entire media world was talking about the ‘gold standard’ pollster and this supposed Harris surge. But at the end of the day, it was complete garbage,” Jennings said.
He emphasized that media outlets need to be held accountable when they push stories that turn out to be baseless. “Trump’s pushback isn’t just about winning lawsuits. It’s about exposing how some of these organizations operate when it comes to biased reporting,” he added.
Criticism and Warnings from Other Panelists
Not everyone on the panel shared Jennings’ viewpoint. Disbarred attorney and convicted felon Michael Cohen, now a frequent Trump critic, warned about the broader implications of Trump’s lawsuits.
“Trump has endless resources—his personal wealth, RNC funds, and backing from wealthy tech billionaires. Media organizations might cave under the pressure because they don’t want to face the financial and reputational risks of discovery,” Cohen argued.
He went on to claim that Trump’s strategy could influence how media outlets cover him in the future, possibly leading to more cautious and less critical reporting.
More Lawsuits Looming
In addition to the Des Moines Register, Trump has filed lawsuits against CBS over an alleged deceptive edit of his pre-election interview with Kamala Harris on “60 Minutes.” Trump’s legal team argues that selective editing painted him in an unfair light and misled the public.
Jennings believes these lawsuits are as much about accountability as they are about sending a message to media organizations. “If they settle, it’s not because they think they’re in the right. It’s because they don’t want the world to see what might come out in discovery,” he concluded.
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A New Era of Media Accountability?
As Trump continues his fight against what he describes as “media corruption,” the broader implications of his actions remain uncertain. Supporters like Jennings see it as a necessary stand against biased reporting, while critics warn of potential threats to press freedom.
For Republicans, this could mark a turning point in how media narratives shape public opinion. For Democrats, it raises questions about the boundaries of press freedom in an era where misinformation has become a weaponized tool in politics.
The courtroom battles ahead could redefine the media landscape—and Trump’s relentless pursuit of justice may be the spark that forces long-overdue changes in journalism.
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