
Dana Loesch blasted CNN for accepting an “absolute sham of an award” for a televised town hall that the network “set up like a WWE event.”
The National Rifle Association spokeswoman unleashed a scathing rebuke of the network following an award for its “Parkland Town Hall,” which was held after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in February 2018.

The University of Southern California’s Norman Lear Center applauded CNN for a “compelling and powerful forum” in announcing the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. Praise was also heaped on the network’s anchor, Jake Tapper, who “deftly gave generous space to speak to gun control advocates, politicians, Parkland students, parents and a representative from the NRA.”
The program allegedly helped “advance the national conversation on gun control and violence.”
Loesch begged to differ.
Is this a joke? Seriously. https://t.co/Hj7yVCZlhf
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
“Is this a joke? Seriously,” the nationally syndicated radio show host tweeted.
“Here is some footage where people were yelling to burn me at CNN’s award-winning townhall where they ‘advanced the conversation on gun control,'” Loesch mocked in a follow up tweet along with video from the event that took place just days after the mass shooting that left 17 people dead.
Here is some footage where people were yelling to burn me at CNN’s award-winning townhall where they “advanced the conversation on gun control.” pic.twitter.com/EYWWj8KcxN
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Loesch continued her sarcastic rebuke of CNN for its sham of a town hall in which she was heckled and confronted by angry students and parents who were affected by the shooting.
More from @CNNPR @CronkiteAward winning townhall wherein they did so much to advance the conversation on gun control pic.twitter.com/d1svHRHAuJ
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
More from @CNNPR @CronkiteAward winning townhall wherein they did so much to advance the conversation on gun control, look at the great conversation taking place. pic.twitter.com/n1wFnPaFZh
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
“This is what happened when the cameras turned off at CNN’s award-winning town hall. They’re proud of it,” she wrote in another tweet accompanied by a video showing the crowd booing and yelling “Shame on you!”
This is what happened when the cameras turned off at @CNNPR ’s award-winning townhall. They’re proud of it. pic.twitter.com/pe8MWTfCqi
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
CNN is proud of this, their Cronkite Award™-winning townhall where they advanced the conversation on gun control. There is more video still. pic.twitter.com/Pk6xAZZ3co
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Loesch accused CNN of intentionally setting up the town hall “like a WWE event” while the network allowed Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel to take the stage before the cameras were even turned on. She also revealed that she was “shocked and confused” when she was cued to walk on stage.
Some interesting notes: CNN set this up like a WWE event. Purposefully. They allowed Scott Israel to take the stage before the cameras turned on and electioneer; he took that time (about 20 minutes) to start blaming law-abiding gun owners.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
When the producers cued me to walk into the arena it was to the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Let’s Get It Started.” I am completely serious. I was shocked and confused — while I knew I was taking questions, we were only told that day that I would actually be on stage.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
A woman “rushed to the stage to tackle me from behind,” Loesch recounted, adding that Tapper asked if she need an escort out of the building to keep her safe.
After the broadcast ended, one of my detail had to stop a woman who rushed the stage to tackle me from behind. That is when Tapper asked me if I had an escort out. I am positive that CNN’s cameras, still operational, observed this and would like for them to release the footage.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
“I showed up in good faith for genuine conversation knowing that at best, it would be a tough event. The lengths CNN went to inflame emotions & exploit pain to *put on a show* is inexcusable, shameful, & it’s grotesque they’re celebrating getting an ‘award’ for their conduct,”Loesch continued. “Those with integrity would reject this absolute sham of an award. But, narratives and ratings. Congrats on the ‘show,’ CNN. Applause, applause.”
I showed up in good faith for genuine conversation knowing that at best, it would be a tough event. The lengths @CNNPR went to inflame emotions & exploit pain to *put on a show* is inexcusable, shameful, & it’s grotesque they’re celebrating getting an “award” for their conduct.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Those with integrity would reject this absolute sham of an award. But, narratives and ratings. Congrats on the “show,” CNN. Applause, applause.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Loesch concluded her comments by inviting anyone to discuss the issue with her on the air, again slamming CNN for the bogus event which unfairly set her and Florida Republican Sen. Marc Rubio up as the bad guys. Israel, who pompously defended his Department’s handling of the tragedy and battled Loesch head on in the town hall, was suspended by newly elected Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year for his office’s mishandling of the shooting.
I’m on air across the country right now, so feel free to take this up with me on my airwaves at any time now or convenient for you in the future. Shame on you. You advanced nothing, you set genuine dialog back by ages, @CNNPR @CronkiteAward .
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 19, 2019
Loesch was not alone in her disbelief and reproach for CNN and its “excellence” award.
That wasn’t a town hall that was a lynch mob on gun owners and a witch hunt
— Paul Cummings (@FGTVE02) March 19, 2019
It’s right up there with Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize …
— Mike McLoughlin (@Mike2348) March 19, 2019
Only CNN would be honored for lying to their 5 viewers.
— Eric (@ejkoolkid13) March 19, 2019
I think you deserve an award for being willing to subject yourself to that.
— Elita (@WorshiperArise) March 19, 2019
This is absolutely disgusting.
— Adam Trahan (@AdamTrahan) March 19, 2019
It’s amazing how @Project_Veritas doesnt get any awards for what they have uncovered about Planned Parenthood, Facebook, Twitter, etc.@CNN and @jaketapper that’s true investigative journalism. Your Parkland townhall was a staged choreographed talkshow.
— Proud American ??? ??? (@K9Zeus16) March 20, 2019
Jerry Springer wants to know where to collect his Cronkite award.
— Wylde Rhoads (@WyldeRhoads) March 19, 2019
Unfortunately, you were treated inexcusably. I don’t care what your politics are, you joined the town hall with good intentions and minds were made up before it even started. That was not Broward’s finest moment.
— Tim W. Sternberg, Ed.S. ² (@TimWSternberg) March 19, 2019
The most shameful journalistic endeavor this decade gets an award.
Raze the entire journalism industry to the ground. https://t.co/ZxUv9cDBv2
— Saurabh Sharma (@ssharmaTX) March 19, 2019
This townhall happened so soon after a traumatic attack, this community was bound to be on edge and emotional. @CNN set this up to be a public, burning at the stake, using @DLoesch as the sacrifice. Instead, 1 yr later, everything she said about the attack, is proven accurate.
— Kathy (@SlideMagic) March 19, 2019
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