Following a civil jury’s verdict finding former President Donald Trump liable for sexually assaulting an advice columnist nearly three decades ago, he will return to CNN’s airwaves on Wednesday for a two-hour town hall event in early-voting New Hampshire. The event, initially anticipated as the clash between the network and the candidate, now carries even higher stakes after the recent sexual abuse and defamation ruling against Trump by a jury in New York. Although the jury rejected the claim of rape, they awarded the advice columnist, E. Jean Carroll, $5 million in damages.
While the civil trial’s verdict does not carry criminal penalties, it refocuses attention on the numerous investigations surrounding Trump. In March, he was indicted in New York for hush payments to women who accused him of sexual encounters. Trump is also facing investigations in Georgia and Washington for alleged interference in the 2020 election, mishandling of classified documents, and potential obstruction of justice.
The event will once again raise questions about Trump’s treatment of women, placing him in a position where he will be compelled to address tough inquiries from host Kaitlan Collins and the audience. Carroll is one of over a dozen women who have accused Trump of sexual assault or harassment, all of which he has denied. Trump has a history of reacting unfavourably when pressed about his behaviour toward women, notably clashing with then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly during the first Republican presidential debate in 2015.
Unlike his relationship with Fox News at the time, Trump has had a more contentious rapport with CNN. He has consistently labelled the network as “fake news” and engaged in personal spats with Collins. Collins was previously barred from a Rose Garden event due to her persistent questioning during an earlier Oval Office availability.
Nevertheless, Trump’s team sees the CNN invitation as an opportunity to connect with a wider range of voters beyond his usual conservative outlets. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung emphasized Trump’s readiness to confront challenges head-on, stating, “President Trump has been battle-tested and is a proven winner. He doesn’t shy away from anything.”
This appearance also contrasts Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, considered a top rival to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. DeSantis has adopted a more sheltered media approach, avoiding questions from the mainstream press while favouring Fox News, which Trump now frequently denigrates despite its past loyalty.
In response, Trump’s team has embraced new channels, such as popular conservative podcasts and social media videos that garner significant views. They have invited reporters from various outlets to join Trump’s plane and arranged unpublicized stops at local establishments to showcase his interactions with enthusiastic supporters, highlighting his charisma in contrast to DeSantis.
The impact of Tuesday’s verdict on the race remains uncertain. Trump’s indictment in New York seemingly improved his standing in the GOP primary, and his top rivals refrained from commenting on the verdict on Tuesday night, with only a few exceptions.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, a vocal Trump critic, called the accusations “another example of the indefensible behaviour of Donald Trump.” Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy defended Trump, suggesting that the case might not have been pursued if the defendant were someone other than Trump.
Even before Tuesday’s verdict, the CNN town hall, which marks the first major television event of the 2024 presidential campaign, raised concerns from both Democrats and conservatives. Democrats questioned whether a man who continues to spread lies about his 2020 election loss, lies that incited a deadly insurrection, should be given a primetime platform. Conservatives wondered why Trump would appear on a network that he consistently disparages as “fake news” and potentially contribute to its ratings.
As the stage is set for the CNN town hall event with former President Donald Trump, the recent sexual abuse verdict adds a new layer of significance to the encounter. With Trump forced to confront tough questioning about his treatment of women, the event carries higher stakes than initially anticipated. As the political landscape evolves and the 2024 presidential campaign takes shape, this town hall serves as a pivotal moment, shedding light on Trump’s standing among voters and ability to navigate challenging circumstances.
