As Twitchy reported Friday, Sen. Ted Cruz fired back at CNN after “New Day” host Chris Cuomo called him out for not appearing on CNN. Here’s how it played out:
"What are they afraid of?" CNN calling out @FLGovScott, @TedCruz, @MarcoRubio for avoiding interviews pic.twitter.com/cizvTyU5XP
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 15, 2018
Chris Cuomo names GOP lawmakers on-air who wouldn't come on CNN after shooting: "What are they afraid of?" https://t.co/J68qwv3wqm pic.twitter.com/62ZMe5A7ra
— The Hill (@thehill) February 15, 2018
If Cruz thinks gun control improvement is not the answer, what is? Ask the question, Senator: what are we going to do to stop school shootings? Don’t just say what won’t work, work to find an answer! https://t.co/NAmAQOTudu
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 15, 2018
That's funny, I spoke to CNN for 15 mins yesterday about proactive solutions to prevent gun violence (like passing the Grassley-Cruz bill—which Dems filibustered—that would add $300 million for school safety) yet CNN has aired NONE of it. Why not air the (entire) interview? https://t.co/c4GZcqTbs7
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 16, 2018
BOOM.
As it turns out, Cuomo wasn’t yet done digging the hole he’d started for himself and replied to a tweeter who accused him of grandstanding and challenged him to air the complete Cruz interview.
Be clear: Cruz and others were invited to come on @NewDay and be tested about how to stop these shootings. They declined. If Cruz or others did an intv with Cnn thereafter fine, but they didn’t when we asked. Period. Offer stands. Anytime. Anywhere. https://t.co/Wxy1KsutIo
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 16, 2018
OK, so Cruz and other members of the GOP did speak to CNN, just not to Chris Cuomo, so they could be “tested” by him.
I can’t imagine why a Republican would turn down this generous offer. https://t.co/HXP9OAHFfS
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) February 17, 2018
"Why won't you come on CNN. What are you afraid of?"
"I did come on CNN and you guys never ran the interview"
"Why won't you come on CNN again? What are you afraid of?" https://t.co/ax65EVz9ts
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 16, 2018
Your graphic said "Unwilling to appear on CNN" not "Unwilling to appear on New Day" but nice try. https://t.co/pbsztQUSRq
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) February 17, 2018
So the "anytime, anywhere" part only applies to a very specific time and place, your show and not the rest of CNN? https://t.co/FhY7bRn1d4
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) February 17, 2018
So you're upset because @tedcruz came on your channel, but denied you an opportunity to grandstand. I get it. https://t.co/BZN7ioyfTq
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 17, 2018
@CNN wont even air the interview he already did but Chris here whines b/c Cruz wont come on again to be raked over the coals by an activist pretending to be a journalist. Then CNN wonders why their ratings are down and ppl don't trust them. https://t.co/nrg4Yg72gn
— Joe (@JoeC1776) February 17, 2018
NEWSFLASH: Just because they are elected officials does NOT mean they are at the beck and call of a low-grade newsreader like you, Chris. https://t.co/xiZunnwAsa
— Pflugerville Pfernando (@Crapplefratz) February 16, 2018
So first you say he is afraid to come on CNN….but then change it once caught and say he isn't tested until he makes time just to come onto your show… https://t.co/Quk370r9pZ
— Cameron Cruz (@ccruz280) February 17, 2018
"Tested" meaning @CNN has a standard for their perception of the correct answer. De facto admitting that CNN has a narrative/agenda and is not a neutral conveyor of the news. https://t.co/fcVLwfxQB7
— Jason Kost (@KostJason) February 17, 2018
I must ask what qualifies you to issue such a test and to determine if the answers are acceptable? Failure to submit to your "test" equals failure to address the issue? https://t.co/qZaZscA40z
— Andrew Wilkow (@WilkowMajority) February 17, 2018
You know what's hilarious? Cuomo talking about GOP senators being "tested" by his questions like he's Mr. Miyagi. Wax off, Chris. https://t.co/xwW8FaWSVP
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) February 17, 2018
Do y'all remember when Chris Como taunted Obama on twitter to go on @CNN and be "tested" after Sandy Hook and Newtown? I don't either https://t.co/lYOG48rHkm
— Ecklebob Chiselfritz (@RotNScoundrel) February 17, 2018
Catherine Frazier, senior communications advisor to Sen. Cruz, had a word for Cuomo as well:
Be clear: @NewDay got upset when they found Cruz was already booked on @foxandfriends and invited him to come on a mere 50mins before New Day ended…. THEN decided to launch false accusations of being “afraid” in last minutes of the show https://t.co/PaUaMh42p4
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) February 16, 2018
So now it’s not about Cruz coming on CNN (which he did that same day even though it didn’t air that day). It’s about some expectation that officials have an obligation to go on a specific show.
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) February 16, 2018
That’s not how this works. There is a giant difference between someone being open and willing to take tough questions from the press vs. being a guest on a specific TV show.
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) February 16, 2018
Folks can disagree with Cruz on many things. But accusing him of being afraid to answer tough questions from the media or from opponents is not one of them.
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) February 16, 2018
Hey Brian Stelter — is that graphic about Cruz being afraid to appear on CNN an apple or a banana?
Related:
CRUZ-MISSILE: Ted Cruz just NUKED Chris Cuomo for gun-control subtweet and it was BRUTAL
