CNN’s Jeff Zucker, TV News Anchors Face ‘Firing Squad’ in ‘Unprecedented’ Meeting With Donald Trump
In a Monday meeting at New York’s Trump Tower that Donald Trump spokeswoman called “unprecedented,” the president-elect tore into top broadcast and cable news executives and on-air talent as representatives of the “dishonest” media, the New York Post reported.
Trump specifically named CNN president Jeff Zucker in the off-the-record meeting, according to the Post, which described the atmosphere as like a “firing squad” by the real estate mogul turned reality TV host turned politician.
Representatives for Trump and CNN did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s requests for comment.
The president-elect’s off-the-record confab with suits and anchors from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CNN lasted a little over an hour and attendees didn’t answer questions on the way out.
Also Read: Sean Hannity Defends Against Megyn Kelly Accusation That Pro-Trump TV Hosts Faked Credibility
Conway, who was Trump’s campaign manager and now serves as a senior adviser, organized the meeting in only two days. “Excellent meetings with the top executives of the major networks … Pretty unprecedented meeting we put together in two days,” Conway said, according to Business Insider.
George Stephanopoulos, Martha Raddatz and Davis Muir represented ABC; Charlie Rose, John Dickerson, Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King represented CBS; Jeff Zucker, Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett represented CNN; and Deborah Turness, Lester Holt, Chuck Todd and Phil Griffin represented NBC News/MSNBC, according to Bloomberg.
Fox News didn’t send any anchors, but executives Bill Shine, Jack Abernethy, Jay Wallace and Suzanne Scott were in attendance.
The meeting came less than a week after Trump ditched his press pool to take his family to dinner, which sparked outrage among journalists who typically sent a small pool to follow presidents and presidents-elect in any public setting. Trump’s team and the attendees made “real progress” when it comes to transparency, according to CNN, which cited a source in the room.
Also Read: Kellyanne Conway Defends Trump's Twitter Attacks on 'Hamilton,' 'SNL': 'Why Do You Care?' (Video)
For her part, Conway said, “It was an off-the-record meeting. It was very cordial. Very productive. Congenial. But it was also very candid and honest” according to TVNewser.
Conway told reporters that Trump is scheduled to meet with The New York Times on Tuesday.
C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman tweeted out various pictures of people arriving to, and exiting, the meeting:
Trump Supporter Interrupts 'Hamilton' Performance: 'You Lost! Get Over It! F— You!'
5 Major Trump Stories You Missed in the 'Hamilton' Distraction (Photos)
'SNL' Star Pete Davidson Says 'F— You' to Donald Trump Over Criticism