AWKWARD! Ted Koppel dropped a BIG reality nuke (about Trump) on CNN and Brian Stelter did NOT like it [video]

At a National Press Club event, Ted Koppel and Brian Stelter were among the panelists, and Koppel, the journalist and 25-year anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” program, offered up a reality check for the CNN host about Donald Trump:

Video: To consternation of @BrianStelter, Ted Koppel contended during 10/1 Kalb Report @PressClubDC: “You would be lost without @realDonaldTrump. CNN’s ratings would be in the toilet without Trump.” Stelter: “Ted, you know that’s not true. You’re playing for laughs.” #NPCLive pic.twitter.com/XGZl9yNzqh

— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) October 3, 2018

Stelter didn’t appear to agree with his media colleague.

? pic.twitter.com/YougfdGBnZ

— ? Arthur Dayne ? (@ArthurDayne1) October 3, 2018

OUCH. Talk about getting zapped by a self-awareness taser!

Ted Koppel is owning the libs. https://t.co/7NnWYhzlHP

— Sp??k Thompson (@ltthompso) October 3, 2018

Somebody got defensive.. The truth hurts though. ?‍♂️

— JR Thatcher (@JrThatcher) October 3, 2018

Koppel is right. Trump and CNN need each other. https://t.co/z5ff61ENJM

— Matthew Salzwedel (@mrsalzwedel) October 3, 2018

CNN is loaded with talent. That includes @brianstelter.

But cmon, Brian. You know Koppel’s truth-telling here https://t.co/ojgcDF7WeM

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) October 3, 2018

Ted Koppel has more integrity than pretty much everyone on cable news, combined https://t.co/KLU9vAUHSD

— Jamie Kirchick (@jkirchick) October 3, 2018

That was something else.