CNN primetime host Anderson Cooper defended the network from attacks by Carly Fiorina after the former Republican presidential candidate claimed late Wednesday the news provider did not give her campaign sufficient coverage.
“You point to the media as being responsible for giving a lot of attention to Trump and Cruz. Certainly, Donald Trump returned phone calls and was willing to do interviews, which was something your campaign, frankly, often wasn’t willing to do, nor Ted Cruz’s campaign,” Cooper said.
“Is it really fair of them to just point the finger at the media because Donald Trump was actually willing to do interviews?” Cooper asked Fiorina.
The former Hewlett Packard CEO fought back, calling the host’s generalization “inaccurate” because she “went on CNN many times.”
“CNN always had a very particular schedule and believe it or not when you’re running for office sometimes a more important item is to actually meet with voters,” Fiorina said, subtly jabbing Trump for spending too much time in front of the cameras and not with the public. “Every objective assessment concludes the same thing: that Donald Trump has gotten far more coverage than all the other candidates combined.”
Trump, the long-time GOP front-runner, has by all accounts reeled in the most free media. A New York Times analysis found the Manhattan businessman has earned nearly $2 billion worth of media attention — from TV to Twitter and digital news to radio interviews — over the course of his nine-month campaign. Trump also has only contributed $10 million to accruing media coverage.
Contrastingly, Fiorina dumped $3 million into the media’s coffer, but only won only $45 million in free publicity.
Still, Fiorina, who dropped out in February and has since endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, admitted Trump has connected with many conservatives, who networks know will watch their program if they feature a segment with him.
“Donald Trump has hit a nerve with voters, of course. Is it also fair to say that the media has played a role in his meteoric rise and his ability to stay on top of the polls no matter what he says and does? Of course,” Fiorina finished.
