Trump Indictment Elicits Extensive TV Coverage, and Some Gasps

NBC, ABC and CBS broke into regular programming to report the news, with some cameras pointing at the Manhattan district attorney’s office and Trump Tower in New York, Mr. Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida and his plane at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach.

Much of the coverage focused on questions about the exact nature of the charges, which are not yet known, and when Mr. Trump would be arraigned, as well as security preparations underway in New York City. Mr. Blitzer of CNN told viewers it was “historic” news — the first time a former president had been indicted on criminal charges.

But on Fox, which has long been friendly to Mr. Trump, at least until recent months, there was a lot of speculation and commentary about the political motivations behind the indictment, with many of the hosts defending Mr. Trump.

“It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen,” said Jesse Watters, one of the hosts. “And I feel bad for the guy. He didn’t really have to be president. He had a lot of money, he had a great life.

“Now they’re trying to nickel and dime him for a private agreement he made with a woman, what, eight years ago?”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/business/media/trump-indictment-media-coverage.html