Savannah Guthrie, the host for President Donald Trump’s town hall, received high praise from her fellow journalists following her performance Thursday night.
Critics were prevalent prior to the town hall event, but seem to have been swayed by her efforts.
CNN media analyst Bill Carter chastised the NBC town hall earlier this week as a “disservice to voters,” while Joy Behar, co-host of The View, claimed the network was “all in for Trump.”
Many seemed won over by Guthrie’s performance, however.
What could have changed the minds of those in mainstream media?
Laura Ingraham says Savannah Guthrie came across as an angry liberal hack and says the President delivered a strong, confident, and very likable performance pic.twitter.com/NPBB3j5Znq
— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 16, 2020
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Savannah Guthrie Earns High Marks From Her Liberal Media Peers
It didn’t take long for Guthrie to convert the left-wing doubters and naysayers, as she repeatedly interrupted the President and forgot what the role of town hall host entails.
The town hall – where the President is supposed to interact with the people – quickly became a circus.
Liberals in the media loved the show.
“One of the best moments of Savannah Guthrie’s career,” writes CNN’s Brian Stelter.
CNN executive producer Lisa Mirando concurred, stating it was a job “well done.”
Well done by Savannah Guthrie https://t.co/ZX7l4vnek4
— lisa mirando (@LisaMirandoCNN) October 16, 2020
Kathryn Watson, CBS News White House reporter, could hardly contain her glee at Guthrie’s performance.
Who has taken on Trump better than Savannah Guthrie?
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) October 16, 2020
“Taken on?” Why would a town hall host ‘take on’ the guest?
Washington Post senior political reporter Aaron Blake called her performance a “master class,” comparing it to past interviews by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace.
Savannah Guthrie is putting on a masterclass. Having fact checks ready. Not letting lengthy filibusters. Sharp questions, cutting in regularly to set the record straight and keep things focused.
Very similar to Wallace/Swan interviews.
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) October 16, 2020
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Guthrie’s Goal at the Town Hall – Combat Trump at Every Turn
Long gone are the days when debate or town hall moderators are expected to be impartial in their attempts to draw out information for the voters.
Guthrie’s only goal last night was to combat President Trump at every turn.
Among her ‘master class’ efforts was to demand the President disavow white supremacists, something he has done over and over again.
President @realDonaldTrump: “Are you listening? I condemn white supremacy.”
Savannah Guthrie: “It feels sometimes you’re hesitant to do so…”
These people aren’t serious. pic.twitter.com/lQVmHnieRh
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 16, 2020
“It feels sometimes you’re hesitant to do so,” Guthrie suggested AFTER Trump had denounced white supremacy three times in the preceding 30 seconds.
The reality is Trump did get a debate last night – it just wasn’t against Biden.
“Even though the commission canceled the in-person debate that could have happened tonight, one occurred anyway,” Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 communications director said in a statement.
“President Trump soundly defeated NBC’s Savannah Guthrie in her role as debate opponent and Joe Biden surrogate,” Murtaugh continued.
“President Trump masterfully handled Guthrie’s attacks and interacted warmly and effectively with the voters in the room.”
CNN commentator Scott Jennings even came to a similar conclusion.
“Trump went from debating Biden to Guthrie!” he tweeted. “Not sure whether this is good or bad yet … but he’s definitely debating tonight.”
Trump went from debating Biden to Guthrie! Not sure whether this is good or bad yet … but he’s definitely debating tonight.
— Scott Jennings + (@ScottJenningsKY) October 16, 2020
“Guthrie did a lot of arguing,” writes Dan Gainor of the Media Research Center.
“That’s exactly what the press and NBC staffers demanded.”
No wonder they’re happy with her today.
