Some TV networks won't air Trump's speech live
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President Trump's primetime speech Thursday evening won't receive live coverage among at least two of the four major TV networks — but it will be available via streaming.
The big picture: The address, which is expected to center around election security, puts ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox between a rock and a hard place: air potentially false claims about the 2020 election or risk backlash from the White House and a confrontational Federal Communications Commission.
Driving the news: NBC News said in a statement it would provide live coverage of the president's remarks on NBC News NOW and air "a special report" on NBC afterward.
- ABC said it would air the speech on its 24/7 streaming channel, ABC News Live, and ABC News Radio "with comprehensive, anchored coverage" and "in our regular network newscasts."
- ABC added that it is "prepared to break into network programming to deliver live updates and reporting should significant developments occur."
- CBS and FOX have yet to announce their plans for the speech.
Catch up quick: Trump has promised "really big news" in his 9pm ET speech, though he's signaled it will center on "free and fair elections."
Zoom out: Broadcasters have long exercised editorial judgment about whether to air presidential addresses, including speeches by Democratic presidents.
- In 2022, ABC, CBS and NBC all declined to run a speech by President Biden about threats to democracy that sharply criticized Trump and those who denied the 2020 election results.
- That denial was in part because some critics viewed the address as a partisan speech designed to boost Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms as opposed to a speech updating the nation on an urgent national situation.
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
