Trump said CNN town hall could revive the network, or be "disaster for all, including me"
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Hours ahead of a high stakes town hall on CNN, former President Trump posted that the nationally televised event "could turn into a disaster for all, including me."
Wednesday night's town hall moderated by CNN's Kaitlynn Collins, host of a morning news program and the network's former White House reporter, has drawn criticism that Trump will be given a platform to disseminate baseless claims of election fraud and championing of those facing charges or serving prison sentences for their role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump's statement expressly stated his belief that CNN "made me a deal I couldn't refuse" because "they are so desperate to get those fantastic (TRUMP) ratings once again."
He added: "Could be the beginning of a New & Vibrant CNN, with no more Fake News, or it could turn into a disaster for all, including me. Let's see what happens?"
Last fall, Trump filed $475 million lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale against CNN claiming the network had defamed him in covering his unproven claims of 2020 election fraud.
Ahead of the town hall, Trump's campaign issued a new video stressing familiar themes of American decline under President Joe Biden's leadership and touting Trump as someone who can bring prosperity back to the country.
Not that we think you should tune into the MAGA propaganda fest that will be CNN's Trump Town Hall tonight, but if you are... Here's a MAGA Bingo card so it can be a little less soul-crushing as you watch a career conman and criminal spew his lies. pic.twitter.com/PzIKiqZlJd
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) May 10, 2023
And the anti-Trump The Lincoln Project circulated a parody Bingo card.
"Not that we think you should tune into the MAGA propaganda fest that will be CNN's Trump Town Hall tonight, but if you are... Here's a MAGA Bingo card so it can be a little less soul-crushing as you watch a career conman and criminal spew his lies." The group said in a Twitter post.
Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump CNN town hall could be a disaster, former president says in post
