Podcast host Russell Brand has criticized MSNBC for opting not to air former President Donald Trump’s victory speech following the Iowa caucuses.
Brand was discussing footage of MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow explaining on Monday night that the network would not air Trump’s speech, referring to the former president as “the projected winner.” Brand joked that some outlets refused to show the speech because people who see an unfiltered version of Trump speaking “kind of like him.”
“And it’s very difficult when we have, as our own candidate for the ongoing presidency, a waxen, Cadabra zombie who looks like he’s been scooped up from the tube, shoved from the subculture, and into the polling booths,” Brand said on his show, apparently referring to President Joe Biden.
Brand also played footage of Trump’s speech on Monday night, during which the former president thanked the Iowans who voted for him. Trump also suggested that the country come together regardless of political affiliation, which Brand joked was a terrifying thought.
“He’s singing a John Lennon lyric!” Brand said. “Come together! If he says ‘right now, under me,” I’m out, baby! I’m out!”
Maddow argued that the decision not to air Trump’s speech was not one that the network enjoyed, nor was it a decision made “out of spite.”
“And honestly, earnestly, it is not an easy decision, but there is a cost to us as a news organization of knowingly broadcasting untrue things,” Maddow said.
Beyond MSNBC, CNN also opted not to air Trump’s victory speech. During a speech Trump gave on Tuesday night in New Hampshire, the former president described the two outlets as crooked and dishonest, claiming that they should have their “licenses or whatever they have” taken away.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Brand’s criticism of outlets refusing to air Trump’s speech comes a few months after he was accused by several women of sexual assault, which was reported by the Times of London, the Sunday Times, and Channel 4, a British television network. The reports led to several platforms removing content featuring Brand, with YouTube blocking the commentator from profiting off the platform.
Brand has denied the accusations.
