In this article, former President Donald Trump faces a recent threat against the MSNBC television network due to its “ongoing attacks” on him, as he calls on the government to “punish them” for criticizing him. Trump indicates his desire for revenge against his perceived enemies if he is elected president again. He demands the government to punish MSNBC and criticizes its parent company Comcast and its CEO Brian Roberts. MSNBC and Comcast have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Key Facts
Trump mentions in his post on Truth Social that MSNBC is a “24-hour smear operation” against him and the Republican Party “for election interference purposes,” describing the network as “the biggest political contributor to the radical left Democrats.” The former president falsely claims that MSNBC “uses free airwaves licensed by the government,” even though the network operates on cable and does not use government funding. Trump calls on the government to “forcefully confront MSNBC and punish them for their illegal political activity,” adding, “more is coming, stay tuned!”
Related Developments
Trump’s call for the government to punish MSNBC and his comments about the Department of Justice indicate his desire to retaliate against his critics should he be elected president again in 2024. Some potential plans have been circulated if Trump manages to win a second term, including using the Department of Justice to pursue his political opponents, according to a report published by The Times in November. Trump also plans to appoint more aggressive lawyers who will align with his most controversial ideas, according to The Times report.
Main Background
Trump’s posts about MSNBC on Tuesday are the latest in a series of attacks he has launched against mainstream media that he considers “fake news.” The former president has criticized platforms such as The New York Times, CNN, Forbes magazine, The Washington Post, and even Fox News for coverage he believes is unfavorable to him, and he has filed lawsuits against media outlets including CNN and The Washington Post. This is not the first time Trump has threatened MSNBC and its parent company, as he stated in a post on Truth Social in September that he wanted to investigate Comcast for “betraying the country.” This suggestion has faced widespread criticism from the left, with the White House stating in a press release that “the abuse of presidential power and violation of the constitutional rights of journalists would be a terrible assault on our democracy and the rule of law.” The spokesperson added, “Presidents must always defend the freedoms of Americans – not attack them for selfish, petty, and dangerous political purposes.”
Further Reading
Trump criticized for threatening Comcast and NBC (The Hill)
Trump, vowing “revenge,” predicts a second term of resentment (New York Times)
How Trump and his allies plan to wield power in 2025 (New York Times)
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