CNN refuses to air Trump advert that repeats president's 'fake news' claims

'The mainstream media is not fake news'

(Getty)

CNN will not air an television advert by President Donald Trump's campaign because of a graphic that calls mainstream news organisations “fake news” – a decision that has elicited accusations of censorship by Trump supporters.

The ad touts Mr Trump’s accomplishment during his first 100 days in office, to which the narrator in the video says: “You wouldn't know it from watching the news.” Images of anchors including Wolf Blitzer from CNN and Rachel Maddow from MSCNBC play behind the banner “FAKE NEWS”, which Mr Trump often says to describe media coverage that is critical of him.

CNN said it requested the campaign remove the “false graphic.”

“The mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is false and per policy will be accepted only if that graphic is deleted,” the network said in a statement.

Michael Glassner, executive director of the campaign committee, Donald J Trump for President, responded that it is “absolutely shameful to see the media blocking the positive message that President Trump is trying to share with the country.”

“It's clear that CNN is trying to silence our voice and censor our free speech because it doesn't fit their narrative,” Mr Glassner said.

The campaign - Mr Trump became a declared candidate for re-election in 2020 on 19 January - is refusing to change its ad, which is running on the Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network. Mr Trump's team is spending $1.5 million (£1.2 million) to spread its message.