ABC, CBS, and NBC declared that they will not air the live coverage of President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July event titled “Salute to America,” and show scheduled shows instead.
While the three networks will be running the planned newscasts and shows during the Independence Day celebration that includes the president’s address, their online platforms will broadcast it live.
“Despite widespread criticism over the distracting from the holiday, President Donald Trump is set to honor America’s armed forces with music, military demonstrations, flyovers and much more in the administration’s ‘Salute to America’ on July 4th,” CBS News reporter Emily Tillett said in her reporting of the July 4 schedule.
“The president’s critics have chastised him for bringing costly military equipment reminiscent of more dictatorial regimes and for placing himself center stage in the typically nonpartisan celebration,” she added.
Meanwhile, some Twitter users expressed that they were expecting the same move from CNN, even calling for boycott against the outlet.
#BoycottCNN unless they change their ways & stop airing Trump campaign rallies that use our tax $$$ to pay for them! We have children & families being mistreated & A$$HAT Trump is hijacking our 4th of July celeb. in DC & spending millions on an effing military style parade! @CNN
— Tamara Brock 🦋 (@tamarabrock) July 4, 2019
CNN are pussies
— Mayday Mindy🌊 (@maydaymindy9) July 4, 2019
@CNN I WILL NOT BE WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL IF YOU SHOW THE DICTATOR!!!#BoycottCnnNoDick
— juls (@shortz12) July 4, 2019
President Trump, who is widely accused of trying to turn the traditionally nonpartisan event into a political one and a show of force, was reportedly inspired for the concept during his attendance to the 2017 Bastille Day celebrations in France.
Another highly controversial practice for Independence Day is the “tickets-only area” that is designated for VIPs, military families and veterans at the Lincoln Memorial. Moreover, the VIP tickets were reportedly only provided to Republican National Committee (RNC) members, and not to the members of Republican National Committee (RNC).