Distortions are standard fare in campaign attack ads. Outright falsehoods are still regarded as an aberration, and unacceptable by at least one of the networks.
BY JONATHAN EASLEY
CNN is refusing to run an ad from President Trump’s reelection campaign that questions former Vice President Biden’s role in the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor.
Democrats have been up in arms over the ad, which alleges Biden pushed for a Ukrainian prosecutor to be dismissed in order to protect his son, Hunter Biden, who at the time was on the board of directors for a Ukrainian energy company that had been investigated for corruption.
The ad also swipes at three CNN reporters or anchors -- cutting to images of chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta and anchors Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo -- as the narrator says, “The Democrats want to impeach [Trump], and their media lapdogs fall in line.”
“CNN is rejecting the ad, as it does not meet our advertising standards,” a spokesperson told The Hill. “Specifically, in addition to disparaging CNN and its journalists, the ad makes assertions that have been proven demonstrably false by various news outlets, including CNN.”
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The level of dishonesty evident in this ad should give any network executive pause. Narratives this dishonest are shredding the nation’s political fabric. This kind of wishful thinking, C.T., ‘alternative facts’ has become reality for too many on the Right.
Trump’s desperation driven attacks on Joe Biden are so preposterous they are failing to gain traction with anyone but members of Trump’s cult of personality.
All of the major networks should follow CNN’s lead.
UPDATE: 'Crazy to withhold security assistance' to Ukraine for political campaign: Top US diplomat