(Headline USA) CNN hosts continued to refer to former President Donald Trump’s allegations of vote fraud during the 2020 election as “the big lie” despite a request from the network’s new president advising them to drop the partisan phrase.
CNN CEO Chris Licht reportedly sent a memo to CNN staffers earlier this week telling them to avoid using the phrase “big lie” because of how closely connected it is to the Democrat Party. He argued it erodes “neutrality” in the network’s coverage of Trump.
Despite this, hosts Anderson Cooper, Brianna Keilar, Don Lemon and senior political analyst Jon Avlon continued to use the phrase, according to the Daily Caller. Avlon used the term seven times on Wednesday, and Cooper used it at least once while discussing Rep. Liz Cheney’s, RINO-Wyo., chances of reelection.
“Is that an indication of how prevalent the beliefs are, the beliefs on the big lie in the Republican Party?” Anderson asked CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten.
Enten replied: “Absolutely. The vast majority of Republicans believe this garbage that is the big lie. We’ve seen it in poll after poll after poll.”
Lemon also used the term repeatedly during his show on Thursday.
“Tom Rice lost his job because he voted to impeach Donald Trump,” Lemon said to CNN analyst Ron Brownstein.
“What message does it send to other Republicans like Liz Cheney facing Trump-backed challengers for refusing to push the big lie?”
Licht has tried to make subtle changes to CNN’s coverage, but with little luck. The network’s new management is reportedly growing more frustrated with staffers who refuse to “adjust to a less partisan tone and strategy,” according to sources familiar with the situation.
Anchors who refuse to get in line with CNN’s new neutrality policies could be axed within the next few weeks, according to reports.
