CNN’s ethical dilemma over its employment of Corey Lewandowski, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, as a political analyst was on display once again when current campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted a picture of her and Lewandowski with the caption “#teamwork #NH.”
#teamwork #NH pic.twitter.com/5T4oOEyBt2
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) November 4, 2016
CNN’s use of on-air Trump surrogates has drawn widespread condemnation, with media critics pointing out that the practice has undercut the “work of [CNN’s] journalists.” Despite these concerns, CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker has stood by the network’s decision to give Trump surrogates a platform to spread lies and derogatory rhetoric, claiming that CNN has a responsibility “to represent those 13-14 million voters who have voted for” Trump, rather than to provide viewers with accurate analysis.
Lewandowski has been at the center of CNN’s ethical dilemma, with many criticizing the network for employing him as an analyst while he was still receiving payments from the Trump campaign, advising the Trump campaign, working on debate prep for the Trump campaign, traveling with the Trump campaign, and campaigning with Trump.
A week after calling on the “@CNN Dream Team” of Trump surrogates to “stay strong,” on November 4, current Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted a picture of her, press secretary Hope Hicks, and Lewandowski, captioning the tweet “#teamwork.” The tweet spurred criticism from members of the media, with The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple saying it “should shame everyone at CNN” and noting that “now we know that officially and unequivocally, the Trump campaign regards a paid CNN commentator as part of the team.” Others called the tweet -- and what it signifies about the relationship between a CNN analyst and the Trump campaign -- “totally inappropriate.”
So Cory's still on the team, huh? https://t.co/ySXZl79LJl
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) November 4, 2016
Yeah, CNN totally doesn't have a Lewandowki problem. https://t.co/jVxrdZDNIf
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) November 4, 2016
The responses to this (totally inappropriate) @KellyannePolls tweet are hilarious, but I think this is my favorite. https://t.co/B37oSAk49c pic.twitter.com/il50LMRobk
— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) November 4, 2016
Good job good effort, CNN. https://t.co/zqJ5ik7utp
— Kyle Feldscher (@Kyle_Feldscher) November 4, 2016
Oh, my. I cant wait to hear more no-nosense, straight talk analysis from this CNN commentator. https://t.co/kCHpjgoiwL
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) November 4, 2016
Fun reminder that @CNNPolitics employs someone the Trump campaign considers part of the “team” #CoolCoolCool https://t.co/eYVHbVvHKi
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) November 4, 2016
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm https://t.co/TI0NqhFffI
— Philip Bump (@pbump) November 4, 2016
So Corey is affiliated again? Or have we given up that ruse with 4 days to go? https://t.co/KGVniIy5Tp
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) November 4, 2016
Lewandowski is allegedly an employee of CNN, not the Trump campaign.
Trump's campaign manager doesn't see it that way. https://t.co/aQjq6WHDhz— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) November 4, 2016
Sign Media Matters’ petition and tell CNN to cut ties with Corey Lewandowski immediately.