
CNN Monday confirmed it formally severed ties with Democratic strategist and interim DNC chair Donna Brazile, releasing a statement saying it is “completely uncomfortable” with hacked emails showing the former network commentator shared debate questions with Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
The network temporarily suspended its contract with Brazile in July after the Democratic National Committee tapped her to serve as interim party chair following the ouster of former DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Now, it appears CNN will make that suspension permanent. “
"On October 14th, CNN accepted Donna Brazile’s resignation as a CNN contributor,” CNN spokesman Lauren Pratapas said in a statement.
“CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate,” she added. “We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.”
CNN’s decision to fire Brazile for her ties to the Clinton campaign rang hypocritical to many who noted that Corey Lewandowski remains on the network’s payroll. CNN has faced significant criticism since hiring Lewandowski in June, after news broke that the former Trump campaign manager continued to receive severance pay from the Trump campaign well into his time as a CNN contributor. Earlier this month, Lewandoski was even spotted low-key traveling with the Trump campaign, going to great lengths to conceal his identity from fellow members of the media.
Monday, people took to Twitter to attack the network for its blatant hypocrisy in firing Brazile.
How's your Corey Lewandowski hot and cold running conflict of interest investigation going, boys? https://t.co/j2BUVSNTeU— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann) 1477929116.0
Wait until they learn about Corey Lewandowski's ties to the Trump campaign. https://t.co/jqdrL25zK1— Adam Smith (@Adam Smith) 1477928863.0
Encouraging to see CNN has some journalistic integrity, firing Donna Brazile and Corey Lewandowski... Oh.— BCC (@BCC) 1477932933.0
CNN severs ties with Donna Brazile ... (but still has Corey Lewandowski on the roster) https://t.co/gXHbmfSjXB— David V. Johnson (@David V. Johnson) 1477931892.0
Still employs Corey Lewandowski https://t.co/73ZpErO2ut— Steve King (@Steve King) 1477931178.0
Brazile’s defenestration from CNN b/c of Clinton campaign connex does raise questions about Corey Lewandowski’s ongoing contract there (1)— Michael M. Grynbaum (@Michael M. Grynbaum) 1477930917.0
They are, however, fine with Corey Lewandowski, getting paid by and flying around with Trump? https://t.co/XZ0cg1FPaL— 🦃 Mixter Premed BabyGroot 🦃 (@🦃 Mixter Premed BabyGroot 🦃) 1477930834.0
"Good!" -- Corey Lewandowski https://t.co/t1cvxxY15r— Jennifer Bendery (@Jennifer Bendery) 1477930764.0
But CNN was totally fine when Corey Lewandowski was still on Trump's payroll? Just ridiculous. https://t.co/xLA3i2g6cN— John Bresnahan (@John Bresnahan) 1477930875.0