President Donald Trump kicked off a Saturday morning with another Twitter attack on the media, this time focusing on “unfunny & repetitive” late night hosts who are “always anti-Trump.”
“Should we get Equal Time?” Trump asked. “More and more people are suggesting that Republicans (and me) should be given Equal Time on T.V. when you look at the one-sided coverage.”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/916634286811435008
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/916635236238274561
Of course, many were quick to note that late-night jokes about the sitting president have been a mainstay since the dawn of late-night TV.
“I don’t seem to recall President Obama asking for equal time when comedians poked fun at him…” one noted.
https://twitter.com/Impeach_D_Trump/status/916634759517888512
Would you grew up for crying out loud? You’re the POTUS, you don’t get equal time for being criticized! pic.twitter.com/GNdkXOesOu
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) October 7, 2017
Did Mexicans, blacks, the disabled, and Muslims get equal time will you were disrespecting them? Please shut up! pic.twitter.com/H1KHhOf23D
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) October 7, 2017
"Equal time" is something I might expect my second grade students to complain about, but they're a little old for that @realDonaldTrump
— Brian (@bmac5001) October 7, 2017
Equal Time? You are President of the United States. Quit whining and lead this great nation. It's not a TV show and ratings don't matter https://t.co/BXC2yUDnbN
— Lane Siekman (@LaneSiekman) October 7, 2017
Others noted that a president has a platform by virtue of his job that may be even larger than a TV comedian’s to communicate a message to Americans.
“Your equal time is 24/7 on Twitter!” one wrote.
Your equal time is 24/7 on Twitter! You & family constantly posting #TrumpTweets that #Whine about #UnfairToUs -You can host #TheTweetAwards
— DJJimmyJamm (@DJimmyJamm) October 7, 2017
NOBODY is suggesting you need equal time on TV. Have some press conferences and answer questions if you want to get your message out.
— Susan Rubinstein (@grammysuzy) October 7, 2017
Still others pointed to the First Amendment’s broad protections on press coverage — particularly outside of an actual political campaign.
“Isn’t the media a free market?” noted one commenter.
The Communications Act of 1934 requires U.S. television and radio broadcasters to provide equivalent opportunities to opposing candidates who request it — with several exceptions, including for scheduled newscasts, documentaries and news interviews.
https://twitter.com/loveandvintage/status/916647632180776961
https://twitter.com/g0ldend3al/status/916647807926308864
Equal time clause was nixed by Ronald Reagan so his buddy Pat Robertson wouldn't have to give equal time on his Christian Broadcast Network
— TREX BBS (@TREXBBS) October 7, 2017
I don't think you understand how equal time works. When campaigning, stations have to give equal time to candidates and only for campaigns
— DT&theSwampRats (@DTsSwampRats) October 7, 2017
Equal time??? Isn't the media a free market?
— ?for²est? (@dwellerofwoods) October 7, 2017
But some supporters rallied to his side.
@realDonaldTrump I agree with you, Freedom of the press should be equal time, Not all of this Negative Democratic Propaganda! #FakenewsCNN pic.twitter.com/e3RUecfv2c
— Tools That Work (@toolsthatwork) October 7, 2017
CNN should be forced to register as a DNC Super PAC. Fake news and DNC spin, with no equal time on the issues
Mr. Trump's Attack pic.twitter.com/VhnHlMZW52
— Jack Bailey ?? (@JackBaileyUSA) October 7, 2017