For his Fox News show Wednesday afternoon Shepard Smith wanted to talk to some Republicans who might defend President Trump’s remarks at his impromptu news conference Tuesday. “Our booking team—and they’re good—reached out to Republicans of all stripes, across the country today,” said Smith. “Let’s be honest, Republicans often don’t really mind coming on Fox News Channel. We couldn’t get anyone to come and defend him here. We worked very hard at it throughout the day, and we were unsuccessful.” (TVNewser)
Chuck Todd reported all 52 Republican Senators turned down an invite to appear on MTP: Daily. “We asked roughly a dozen house Republicans including a bunch of committee chairs and we asked a half-dozen officials and none of them agreed to discuss this issue with us today,” Todd said. And according to Wolf Blitzer, The Situation Room bookers proved equally unsuccessful. (Mediaite)
An emotional moment happened on Outnumbered Wednesday when FBN anchor Melissa Francis and panelist Marie Harf argued over the meaning and message behind some of Trump’s comments. “I am so uncomfortable having this conversation because I know what’s in my heart. And I know that I don’t think anyone is different, better, or worse based on color of their skin, but there is nothing any of us can say right now without being judged,” said Francis through tears. (TVNewser)
While in conversation with host Abby Huntsman, two guests on Fox & Friends tearfully spoke about Trump’s betrayal of the “conscience of our country” and his failure to address race relations. (HuffPost)
Steve Bannon saw Trump’s now-infamous press conference not as the lowest point in his presidency, but as a “defining moment,” where Trump decided to fully abandon the “globalists” and side with “his people.” (Axios)