CNN, take a bow. You’re being rewarded for putting on a WWE-style spectacle that did nothing to advance a dialogue about gun violence. It was days after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed. The event was held in Broward County, deep in one of the most Democratic counties in the state. It was not friendly territory, but the National Rifle Association’s top spokesperson Dana Loesch and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) attended, took the verbal abuse, and answered the questions. It was a total anti-gun circus that was nothing more than a platform to bash the NRA, conservatives, and gun owners. Nothing was advanced with this event. The only thing that was confirmed (again) is that the Democratic base is viciously anti-gun, intolerant, and overall totally unhinged.
What an embarrassment. That “town hall” wasn’t journalism. It was naked left-wing activism that deliberately attacked those who did nothing wrong in service of corrupt FL bureaucrats who did nothing while kids were being murdered. https://t.co/lLNWKkN5bE
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 19, 2019
One of the more embarrassing things that network has ever aired https://t.co/Zyu28h3ASu
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) March 19, 2019
Loesch called out the network for winning this award, as she felt, and rightfully so, that they did not merit it. Nothing was gained with this fiasco. Even Parkland survivor Kyle Kashuv was disgusted.
Using our community’s pain for ratings, a week after 17 students and teachers were killed, gets an award?
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) March 19, 2019
That town hall was a shameful display. Disgusting. https://t.co/2yj7xiK2XG
“Using our community’s pain for ratings, a week after 17 students and teachers were killed, gets an award? That town hall was a shameful display. Disgusting,” he tweeted.
Loesch shot back at the network on social media wondering where is her “share” of the award since they probably wouldn’t have received it if she weren’t used as the punching bag for the night.
“Curious — where is my share of the award? You needed a villain to abuse and I was the only one on the stage relating the facts later cited as the exact reasons why the sheriff you exalted was removed from his job. Let me know when I can expect an on-air invite for acknowledgment,” she wrote.
Curious — where is my share of the award? You needed a villain to abuse and I was the only one on the stage relating the facts later cited as the exact reasons why the sheriff you exalted was removed from his job. Let me know when I can expect an on-air invite for acknowledgment https://t.co/SddzKDjxR5
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Thanks, @jaketapper for unfollowing me over this after I criticized the award your company won. https://t.co/rNtj2x3OUH
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
I’m not sorry that I was more prepared than you and your network to call out the failures of Scott Israel while CNN celebrated his failures that led to this awfulness.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Even afterwards I was cordial and kind to Jake. I appreciated the situation in which he was put. But if he can’t handle my legitimate and deserved criticism of his network’s behavior, well, then go be a company man. That’s a real shame.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
The sheriff she’s referring to is Scott Israel, who, let’s say, had his world come crashing down soon after this town hall event. It was later reported that one of his deputies, assigned as the school resource officer, didn't confront shooter Nikolas Cruz, but did not go into the building.
Oh, and how did CNN’s Jake Tapper, the host of this so-called town hall, react to Loesch’s pervasive attacks on social media? He simply unfollowed her on Twitter. Dude, c’mon man.
More from @CNNPR @CronkiteAward winning townhall wherein they did so much to advance the conversation on gun control, look at the great conversation taking place. pic.twitter.com/n1wFnPaFZh
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Some interesting notes: CNN set this up like a WWE event. Purposefully. They allowed Scott Israel to take the stage before the cameras turned on and electioneer; he took that time (about 20 minutes) to start blaming law-abiding gun owners.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
When the producers cued me to walk into the arena it was to the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Let’s Get It Started.” I am completely serious. I was shocked and confused — while I knew I was taking questions, we were only told that day that I would actually be on stage.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
After the broadcast ended, one of my detail had to stop a woman who rushed the stage to tackle me from behind. That is when Tapper asked me if I had an escort out. I am positive that CNN’s cameras, still operational, observed this and would like for them to release the footage.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
I showed up in good faith for genuine conversation knowing that at best, it would be a tough event. The lengths @CNNPR went to inflame emotions & exploit pain to *put on a show* is inexcusable, shameful, & it’s grotesque they’re celebrating getting an “award” for their conduct.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019