Trump Lashes Out at MSNBC, CNN Over Speculation Regarding Thank You to Chief Justice Roberts
Former President Donald Trump has sharply criticized MSNBC and CNN for their on-air speculation about why he thanked Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts following his recent address to Congress. Trump accused the networks of engaging in "fake news" and attempting to create a rift between him and the Supreme Court. The controversy stemmed from a moment captured on television cameras after Trump’s address, in which he was seen telling Justice Roberts, "Thank you again, I won’t forget."
The remark quickly ignited a flurry of speculation among liberal pundits on MSNBC and CNN, many of whom suggested that Trump was expressing gratitude for the Supreme Court’s ruling in July 2024 that granted former presidents significant protection from prosecution. This ruling, which came after Trump’s attempt to dismiss his indictment in a 2020 election interference case based on presidential immunity, was viewed by some as a major victory for the former president.
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes went so far as to suggest that Trump believed Roberts had "paved the way" for his return to the White House. Hayes told viewers that Trump "understands that John Roberts is his guy who sprang him and saved him from prosecution with his ruling on presidential immunity, which ultimately paved the way for Trump to be elected president again."
Symone Sanders, another MSNBC host, questioned whether Trump’s thank you was a "preemptive thank you for something that’s about to happen." Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University, echoed this sentiment, stating that "there is a lot Donald Trump could have thanked his court for, namely the immunity ruling… big get out of jail free card."
CNN’s political director, David Chalian, also weighed in, expressing his desire to know the reason behind Trump’s gratitude. While he acknowledged the possibility that it could have been for the inauguration, another panelist quickly asserted that it was "obviously immunity."
Trump responded to the speculation on Thursday morning via his Truth Social platform, vehemently denying the pundits’ interpretations. He wrote, "The Fake ‘Play the Ref’ News, in order to create a divide between me and our great U.S. Supreme Court, heard me say last night, loudly and openly as I was walking past the Justices on the way to the podium, ‘thank you,’ to Chief Justice John Roberts."
Trump went on to criticize the networks for not contacting his office to inquire about the reason for his remark. "Like most people, I don’t watch Fake News CNN or MSDNC, but I understand they are going ‘crazy’ asking what is it that I was thanking Justice Roberts for? They never called my office to ask, of course, but if they had I would have told these sleazebag ‘journalists’ that I thanked him for SWEARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SO DOING!"
Trump concluded his post by accusing the "Fake News" of never quitting.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and polarized media landscape surrounding Trump. His every action and utterance are dissected and analyzed, often leading to speculation and controversy. The fact that a simple thank you could generate such widespread debate underscores the deep divisions that exist within the country.
Adding to the chorus of voices, "The View" co-host Joy Behar also speculated on Trump’s remarks to Roberts. "There was a moment there that really stopped my heart, and that was when Trump shook hands with the members of the Supreme Court," Behar said. "He said to Justice Roberts, ‘Thank you again, thank you again, won’t forget it.’ Now, what do you think he was referring to?" Behar then suggested Trump was thanking Justice Roberts for the immunity ruling.
While Trump directly addressed MSNBC and CNN in his social media post, he did not explicitly mention Behar’s comments.
The episode also serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Trump and the mainstream media, particularly CNN and MSNBC. Trump has repeatedly accused these networks of biased reporting and "fake news," while the networks have often been critical of his policies and rhetoric.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s thank you to Justice Roberts is unlikely to dissipate quickly. It is a microcosm of the larger political and media landscape, characterized by intense partisanship, distrust, and a constant search for hidden meanings and ulterior motives. The incident underscores the challenges of navigating this complex environment and the importance of seeking accurate and reliable information. The networks did not issue an immediate response but it can be expected to be heard later.
Furthermore, this incident throws light on the existing state of political journalism and its impact on public perception. The immediate jump to conclusions by various media outlets without verifying the facts demonstrates a concerning trend in news reporting. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking when consuming news from any source. The impact of speculation-driven news can be far-reaching, influencing public opinion and further polarizing the political landscape.
