President Donald Trump publicly dismissed NBC News as “fake news” during a recent White House event, showcasing his ongoing hostility towards the network despite parent company Comcast’s efforts to improve relations. The exchange occurred on March 15, 2024, when NBC reporter Monica Alba confronted Trump about claims regarding declining prices during his presidency.
When Alba pointed out that Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal bundle contained fewer items compared to the previous administration, Trump interrupted her by asking, “Who are you with?” Upon learning she represented NBC, he retorted, “You’re fake news. NBC’s gone down the tubes along with most of the rest of them.” Alba continued her questioning, seeking insight into the disparity between the president’s optimistic economic descriptions and the sentiments of many Americans. Trump maintained that people felt better about the country, attributing their feelings to job growth, while he deflected further inquiries from Alba.
This incident comes at a time when Comcast has faced scrutiny for its undisclosed donation to the construction of a new White House ballroom. As Comcast prepares to spin off MSNBC into a new entity, speculation has arisen about whether the donation was an attempt to win favor with the Trump administration. Comcast is reportedly eyeing a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) studio and streaming operations, which would require federal approval.
Media experts suggest that the Trump administration may be less inclined to approve such a deal, particularly given Trump’s longstanding animosity towards Comcast, which he has previously labeled as “Concast.” Matthew Belloni, a veteran media reporter, noted that Trump’s disdain for Comcast is rooted in its association with MSNBC, now set to be rebranded as MS NOW.
Trump’s criticisms of Comcast contrast sharply with his favorable remarks about David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media, which has expressed interest in acquiring WBD, including CNN. Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, a noted Trump supporter, adds a layer of complexity to the potential deals in the media landscape. Earlier this year, Skydance successfully acquired Paramount, which owns CBS News, and committed to maintaining unbiased journalism.
Despite the challenges facing Comcast, executives appear optimistic about their chances of acquiring WBD’s profitable streaming and studio divisions. WBD executives have indicated that a decision regarding the potential sale of the company could be announced by Christmas 2024.
Amid these developments, Rachel Maddow, a prominent MSNBC anchor, criticized Comcast for its attempts to curry favor with Trump. She warned that such actions could undermine the network’s reputation and stated, “There may be a cost to their bottom line when they do things against American values, against the public interest.”
NBC News did not respond to requests for comment regarding the president’s remarks or the implications of Comcast’s ballroom donation. As tensions between Trump and the media continue, the future of both Comcast and WBD remains uncertain, with ongoing questions about how these relationships will evolve in a rapidly changing media landscape.
