Conservative strategist Scott Jennings clashed with Democratic political consultant Julie Roginsky on CNN NewsNight, calling her assertion that conservatives dominate the media “the nuttiest” claim he’d ever heard. The fiery exchange unfolded during a heated discussion about President-elect Donald Trump’s lawsuits targeting media outlets, including the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer, over what he claims were misleading pre-election reports.
The Lawsuit That Sparked the Debate
Trump’s legal action focuses on a controversial poll by Selzer, which suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris was leading Trump by three points in Iowa during the 2024 election cycle. Despite the poll’s projection, Trump ultimately won the state by a wide margin, raising questions about the methodology and intent behind the report.
As CNN host Abby Phillip expressed concerns about potential threats to free speech stemming from these lawsuits, Roginsky pivoted the conversation, accusing conservatives of dominating the media landscape.
From the website : Scott Jennings Sparks Heated Debate on CNN Over Trump’s Lawsuits Against Media Outlets
Roginsky’s Bold Claim
During the panel discussion, Roginsky listed media outlets and personalities she described as aligned with Trump or conservative ideology.
“You know what I’m tired of, Scott?” she began. “The top cable news network, Fox News. The leading newspaper by circulation, The Wall Street Journal. The third-largest paper, The New York Post. The biggest radio personality, Sean Hannity. The number one podcaster, Joe Rogan. These are all Trump allies. What anti-Trump media are you even talking about?”
Roginsky’s remarks painted a picture of a media landscape where conservative voices hold significant sway, prompting an immediate and sharp rebuttal from Jennings.
Jennings Fires Back
Jennings, visibly incredulous, pushed back on Roginsky’s claim, labeling it as completely detached from reality.
“That may be the nuttiest thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Jennings shot back. “Let’s be real here—major outlets like CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post have spent years running negative stories about Trump and conservative policies. To suggest conservatives ‘dominate’ the media is laughable.”
Jennings went on to argue that mainstream media, by and large, has been hostile toward Trump, often pushing narratives that later prove to be unfounded. “Just look at this Des Moines Register poll,” he said. “It was touted everywhere as evidence of Harris’s momentum, yet it turned out to be completely false. That’s the problem—many of these stories are designed to fit a specific narrative, not to report the truth.”
The Larger Media Battle
This isn’t the first time Trump’s camp has criticized the media for alleged bias. His lawsuits, including those against the Des Moines Register and CBS over a “60 Minutes” interview with Harris, are part of a broader strategy to hold media organizations accountable for what he perceives as deliberate misinformation campaigns.
Roginsky’s argument reflects a common Democratic critique that conservative media outlets like Fox News and personalities like Sean Hannity have outsized influence in shaping public opinion. However, Jennings countered that the power of these outlets pales in comparison to the coordinated narratives pushed by traditional mainstream media.
Free Speech vs. Accountability
The debate also touched on broader implications for freedom of the press and the role of lawsuits in shaping media behavior. Phillip, echoing concerns from journalists and legal experts, questioned whether Trump’s legal battles might set a dangerous precedent.
Jennings dismissed this concern, emphasizing that Trump’s lawsuits are less about silencing the press and more about exposing biased reporting practices. “If these organizations stand by their reporting, they shouldn’t have anything to hide during discovery,” he argued.
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What’s Next for Trump and the Media?
Trump’s lawsuits continue to send shockwaves through the media industry, with many wondering whether other outlets could face similar challenges. For conservatives, these legal actions are a long-overdue reckoning for media outlets they believe have abandoned objectivity in favor of partisan narratives.
For Democrats, however, these lawsuits are viewed as a potential threat to press freedom, raising concerns about how public figures wield their resources against media organizations.
As this media battle unfolds, the question remains: Will Trump’s strategy force a long-overdue reckoning in journalism, or will it have a chilling effect on press freedom?
Stay tuned to Different HUB for updates on this developing story and other trending news.
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