CNN has spent most of this week hammering the idea that Donald Trump may be mentally unfit to sit in the Oval Office.
Spurred on by former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s insistence that Trump is unfit, CNN has had its anchors and guests bringing up Trump’s mental health and fitness so often that some might wonder if it’s an editorial directive.
Brian Stelter, host of “Reliable Sources,” claimed Wednesday that he feels “uncomfortable” asking questions about the president’s mental wellness, yet he has brought up the topic several times on his own show and other shows on the network. (VIDEO: Stelter: ‘I Feel Uncomfortable’ Questioning Trump’s Fitness)
He tweeted several defenses of his coverage, apparently arguing that it is responsible journalism for non-doctors to speculate on the president’s mental health.
The president’s performance in Phoenix just reinforced why so many people are concerned… https://t.co/PcHkybjLKd
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 23, 2017
My “goal” is to report. To cover what’s going on clearly, carefully, in a way that I’ll be proud of later. What’s your goal, @GeraldoRivera? https://t.co/DvCUFLkptQ
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 23, 2017
In fact, Stelter even retweeted a Washington Post article about the questions on Trump’s fitness that admits those questions “inevitably devolve into speculation.”
In short:
1) Trump’s fitness for office hugely pertinent
2) Coverage almost inevitably devolves into speculationhttps://t.co/XGpcWIQZGj
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) August 23, 2017
“We all need to be incredibly careful,” the WaPo piece reads. “The problem with this topic is that there is almost nothing to go on except speculation.”
CNN commentator Ana Navarro similarly said that she “stands by” implications that the only excuse for Trump’s behavior is that he is unwell.
I stand by what I said last night. The only possible excuse for Trump’s behavior last night, is if he’s not well. https://t.co/BvV5dYgsFw
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) August 23, 2017
Host Don Lemon went on a wild rant after Trump’s Arizona rally, accusing the president of being insane and unhinged.
“He certainly opened up the race wound from Charlottesville,” Lemon said. “A man clearly wounded by the rational people who are abandoning him in droves…meaning those business people and the people in Washington now who are questioning his fitness for office and whether he is stable.” (VIDEO: Don Lemon Calls Trump ‘Unhinged’ In Wild Rant After Arizona Rally)
Ben Ferguson, a conservative radio host, seemed to be the only CNN commentator that hit back at his colleagues for speculating about the president. Republican Arizona Rep. Trent Franks also called out Clapper’s “disgusting” comments when he appeared on CNN Wednesday. (VIDEO: Rep. Franks Slams Former DNI James Clapper)
The criticism hasn’t seemed to give CNN pause on hosting panels on the subject and constantly replaying Clapper’s comments. The debate about fitness appeared on nearly every hour of programming from Trump’s speech in Arizona Tuesday night to midday on Wednesday.
The topic was usually accompanied by explanations that because Clapper and Sen. Bob Corker have critiqued Trump’s fitness and competence, that makes it fair game for reporters.
Watch below to see just how often CNN has pushed the narrative that the president is unwell.
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