NBC did not give any editorial discretion to Sarah Palin in exchange for an interview, a spokeswoman for the network told the Washington Examiner media desk.
Palin’s sat for an interview with NBC’s “Today” on Monday morning, hours ahead of the Iowa caucuses, to discuss the presidential election and her endorsement of Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
Things turned tense toward the end of the Q&A when Palin was asked about a recent speech, wherein she seemed to tie her son’s reported domestic violence dispute to post-traumatic stress disorder and President Obama’s military policies.
“You said that President Obama may be to blame for some for the PTSD that’s out there,” said “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie to Palin.
Palin interrupted to say she “never said that.”
“Well, let’s take it piece by piece,” Guthrie said.
“Let’s start piece by piece by, you guys brought me here to talk about Iowa politics and the caucus tonight, not to talk about my kids” Palin, sounding irritable, replied. “And that was a promise. But as things go in the world of media, you guys don’t always keep your promises evidently.”
She went on to say it was not her intent to blame Obama for problems her son may have with PTSD, but she said he has shown a “level of disrespect for the United States military.”
Co-host Matt Lauer wrapped up the segment saying to Palin, “There were no specific promises made about content of the interview, only that this would be your first interview since you endorsed Donald Trump.”
Palin said, “Well, I was told that this interview is about the caucus tonight in Iowa and, right on …”
Asked about the agreement of the interview, an NBC spokeswoman said, “No promises were made.”
