After a 78-year-old Donald Trump supporter sucker-punched a black protester at a Trump rally, he was charged with assault, as he should have been, and widely condemned. It doesn’t take an incredible amount of decency or common sense to criticize people who assault other people.
Unfortunately, a minimal amount of decency or common sense is not required for a regular gig on CNN. Witness Andy Dean, a “Trump supporter” who has been on the network seemingly nonstop these past few weeks and who was given an opportunity to weigh in on the assault. “Well first off, that guy’s 78 and throwing a punch like that? … At his age, I must say that this is very, very interesting.” (When Dean isn’t on the air, CNN often turns to other Trump supporters, as if no “expert” panel could be complete without the analysis of a Trump fan.)
When someone tried to interrupt Dean, he asked, “Why is it that at Trump rallies liberals come and create chaos?” He proceeded to argue that Trump had no control over the protester, concluding his comments by noting, “At that age, that looks like good exercise. … At 78, it’s somewhat impressive.” A new low in the network’s already undistinguished coverage of Donald Trump.
Also in Slate: “CNN Just Interviewed Donald Trump’s Former Butler. It Was a Train Wreck.”
