CNN chief: Politicians should oppose Trump's attack on media

 

JERUSALEM (AP) — The president of CNN said Tuesday it was "shocking" to watch the political establishment's silence over President Donald Trump's attacks on the media, calling it an abdication of their responsibility.

Speaking at a media conference in Jerusalem, Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide, said Trump's labeling of the media as the enemy of the state was unfortunate and dangerous. He refused to say whether any CNN staff had been threatened and what kind of security measures the company had taken, but warned that "words can have consequences."

Zucker also said he was stunned politicians had not spoken out fiercely against Trump's assault on the free press. He singled out Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham as among the few who have had the courage to stand up for their convictions.
Since taking office, Trump has lashed out repeatedly at the media, taking particular aim at CNN. He's upbraided its reporters publicly, deriding the network as "fake news," and his press secretary blocked CNN from taking part in a White House media gaggle.