Thursday, Vice President Pence’s office said it was blocking members of the White House coronavirus task force from appearing on CNN until the network televises the portion of the daily briefings that includes the vp and other coronavirus task force members. (TVNewser)
Pence’s office reversed itself later Thursday and will now allow two top public health officials to appear on CNN. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, appeared on a CNN coronavirus town hall on Thursday evening and Dr. Anthony Fauci will guest on New Day on Friday, the network said. (Deadline)
CNN has chosen not to air recent briefings from the coronavirus task force in their entirety, alternating between cutting away from President Trump, taking only the Q&A session of the briefing, and airing only the parts where Pence or task force members like Deborah Birx or Dr. Fauci speak. (Mediaite)
The White House has made two non-health care officials available to CNN in the last week. Secretary of defense Mark Esper appeared on State Of The Union on Sunday and Peter Navarro appeared on Anderson Cooper’s show on Friday and New Day on Monday. (CNN Business)