Unlike 2016, most networks have opted not to air Trump’s rallies, greatly cutting down on the airtime–and the eyeballs–the Trump campaign gets and limiting the distribution of the campaign’s message, the Washington Post reports.
The reasons are myriad: lower ratings, the coronavirus and the plethora of lies, among other things. While Fox “News”–and the White House’s favorite cable network, OANN–still occasionally broadcast Trump’s campaign rallies, even Fox “News” has declined to air most of his events.
Some networks refuse to endanger their correspondents and crews by requiring them to attend indoor events. When Trump had his first rally in Tulsa in June, neither NBC or CBS would put their employees in the arena, instead positioning them outside away from crowds.
“We will continue to follow and monitor prevailing public health guidelines regarding large indoor gatherings as we have since the start of the pandemic,” an NBC News spokesperson said.
Even without their own cameras inside, they could have opted to tap into the pool feed. They didn’t. Fox “News,” which broadcast the Tulsa rally, has chosen not to carry others live. Many times, when they do, Fox “News” will split screens, muting Trump’s audio and carrying their prime-time hosts.