DEATH OF A NETWORK – AT 2:25 P.M. ET:  It is truly sad to watch the decline of CNN into the joke it has become – the anti-Trump network that still claims to be the first name in news.  Even the president's trip to visit the troops was considered fair game at the network that was.  From Fox: 

CNN was slammed for what many called overwhelmingly negative coverage of President Donald Trump’s visit to the troops was on Wednesday night.

Both the president and first lady Melania Trump surprised troops stationed in Iraq the day after Christmas, which was followed by another visit with the troops in Germany.

However, there was barely a kind word expressed towards the president regarding his trip overseas -- at least on CNN. The network published a report Wednesday evening drawing attention to the troops who brought MAGA hats for the president to sign being against military guidelines, which forbids active members of the military from participating in “political activities.”

The story by CNN politics reporter Eli Watkins, headlined “Troops bringing Trump hats to sign may violate military rule,” was mocked on social media.

CNN Politics’ verified Twitter account was ratioed when Watkins’ story was sent out, which is typically a sign that the majority of readers don’t agree. As of Thursday morning, the tweet received over 3,300 comments and only 826 likes.

Meanwhile, several watchdogs pointed out that President Obama also signed autographs when visiting troops.

CNN’s criticism of Trump visiting the troops wasn’t limited to Watkins report and the network took a negative tone throughout their evening coverage.

CNN anchor Jim Sciutto blasted Trump for his “routine lying,” while CNN military analyst Mark Hertling criticized Trump for getting “political” during his visit. Former Obama State Department spokesman John Kirby even dinged the president for not visiting with Iraqi security forces, who are also part of the fight against ISIS.

COMMENT:  So much potential wasted.  I recall a time when news directors fought for every minute of air time.  When the large TV networks went from fifteen-minute nightly newscasts to half an hour, it was considered a major event, a great breakthrough for broadcast journalism.

Now cable news networks have 24 hours a day, and look what CNN does with its own 24 hours.  It's an all-day Trump-bashing session, with a minimum of serious news.

Ain't anyone got any shame?

And what will CNN do when Trump leaves office?  It's so hard to get good villains these days.

December 27, 2018