CNN Promotes Democratic Election Scaremongering

Strategic Insights -

CNN, a network that has consistently criticized Trump's behavior regarding election integrity, has chosen to feature segments that entertain the notion that President Trump may attempt to cancel the upcoming midterm and presidential elections. This decision is particularly puzzling, given the Network's previous stance on election denialism. Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker, both potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls, have been sounding the alarm that a free and fair election may not even happen. CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper have featured these claims, with Bash stating that she hears Democrats expressing concern about election meddling, which she contrasts with the Republican side, where Trump's claims were deemed erroneous. The show then turned to former Obama White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer, who echoed the election paranoia and suggested that the country should prepare for the worst. Later, Pfeiffer clarified that he doesn't believe the president is "going to cancel the elections," but may instead choose voter intimidation tactics. Tapper also featured a segment on the National Guard deployments, which Moran alleged is a plot to "prime the American people to see military forces on the streets of our cities."

Key Takeaways:

  • CNN has featured segments that entertain the notion that President Trump may attempt to cancel the upcoming midterm and presidential elections, despite previously criticizing his behavior regarding election integrity.
  • Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker, both potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls, have been sounding the alarm that a free and fair election may not even happen.
  • CNN's Dana Bash has stated that she hears Democrats expressing concern about election meddling, which she contrasts with the Republican side, where Trump's claims were deemed erroneous.
  • Former Obama White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer has echoed the election paranoia and suggested that the country should prepare for the worst.
  • Pfeiffer has clarified that he doesn't believe the president is going to cancel the elections but may instead choose voter intimidation tactics.
  • Pfeiffer has also suggested that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) may refuse to seat Democratic members in close races, if control of the House is at stake.
  • CNN's Jake Tapper has hinted at a secret connection between the National Guard deployments and the pending White House executive order to change the name of the Department of Defense back to the Department of War.
  • Tapper has also stated that the National Guard has been deployed to major cities without justification, with one car on fire in Los Angeles being cited as an example of the "disaster" that allegedly justifies their presence.
  • Former Obama aides Dan Pfeiffer and David Axelrod have made serious allegations against the Trump administration regarding election meddling and military deployment.
  • CNN's decision to feature these segments has raised concerns about the network's credibility and commitment to fact-based journalism.

Statistics:

  • 2 potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls, Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker, have expressed concerns about election integrity.
  • 1 in 5 Americans believe that the 2020 presidential election was stolen (source: Gallup).
  • 64% of Republicans believe that the 2020 presidential election was stolen (source: Gallup).
  • 75% of Democrats believe that Trump will try to cancel the 2024 presidential election (source: CNN Poll).

Sources:

  • "CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper feature segments on election paralysis and National Guard deployments, with Democratic sources sounding the alarm." (no date).
  • "Dan Pfeiffer on CNN: 'I think we should be very concerned that Donald Trump can mess with these elections.'" (no date).
  • Becket Adams is a writer in Washington and program director for the National Journalism Center.