Pelosi & Schumer Demand Prime Time Slot To Debunk Expected Trump Speech Lies

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Donald Trump asked the major television networks for time to address the public about border security. ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS agreed, although they did not have to give time to the president. Pretty much everyone expects Trump to lie, so here is the deal.

In addition to these networks CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC will also carry Trump’s immigration speech live in prime time (9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. ST).

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement requesting equal time, according to CNN:

‘Now that the television networks have decided to air the President’s address, which if his past statements are any indication will be full of malice and misinformation, Democrats must immediately be given equal airtime.’

Trump said that the air time was for the “national security crisis.” Yet, even some Republicans disagree with that description.With POTUS describing the press as the “enemy of the people,” the networks may have felt pressure to run the president anyway.

Former White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton, Joe Lockhart tweeted:

‘Some advice — demand to see the text in advance and if it is not truthful either don’t air it or fact check it live on lower third. And cut away if he goes off text and starts lying.’

Part of the problem with Trump is that he lies all the time. Another issue is that he tends to go off script in tirades. The Democrats can rebut him, but what are the networks responsibilities?

The major networks did turn down one of President Barack Obama’s requests for air time on the subject of immigration.

Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.