Major Networks Skip Trump's Primetime Speech on Election Claims

WHO:

Fox News - President Trump delivered a primetime speech.

Fox News - ABC News, NBC News, and CNN chose not to air Trump's speech live.

NBC News - NBC News correspondents Kelly O'Donnell, Ryan Nobles, and Dan De Luce examined Trump's comments.

WHAT:

Fox News - Trump claimed that newly declassified documents include CIA reporting alleging the Chinese Communist Party sought to prevent his reelection and that China attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden.

Deadline - Trump delivered a 25-minute long speech full of claims, including allegations that China obtained voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him.

Newsweek - ABC News and NBC News moved Trump's speech to their respective streaming platforms, ABC News Live and NBC News Now, instead of airing it live on their main channels.

IJR - Trump called out networks for not airing his speech, stating they should have their broadcast licenses revoked for not airing the speech Thursday night.

Fox News - Trump alleged that newly declassified documents include CIA reporting claiming the Chinese Communist Party sought to prevent his reelection and that China attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden.

CNN - CNN anchor John King explained the network's decision not to air Trump's speech live, citing the president's "history of misleading, and in some cases, simply false statements" on elections and election security.

Deadline - Trump stated, "They use our public, multi-billion dollar in value airwaves for absolutely no money. They pay nothing," criticizing the networks for not airing his speech.

Fox News - Trump stated, "They can't have a great country — and that's true — you can't have a great country without free and fair elections."

Fox News - Trump claimed that "Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses," addressing ABC and NBC's decision not to air his speech live.

Deadline - Trump delivered a 25-minute long speech full of claims, including allegations that China obtained voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him.

Fox News - Trump stated, "They and others in the media are part of a plot. They want to continue this fraud for whatever reason. They want to keep it going. They want to protect the radical left."

Fox News - Trump claimed, "They use our public, multi-billion dollar in value airwaves for absolutely no money. They pay nothing."

Fox News - CBS News aired a special report that initially provided analysis before cutting into Trump's speech minutes after he began speaking and cut away moments after his attacks on ABC and NBC.

Fox News - Trump stated, "They don't like the topic because they know how corrupt our system is, and they don't want to reveal it," referring to ABC and NBC's decision not to air his speech live.

Fox News - Trump claimed that "Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses," addressing the networks that did not air his speech.

Deadline - Trump delivered a 25-minute long speech full of claims, including allegations that China obtained voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him.

Fox News - Trump criticized ABC and NBC for not airing his speech.

Fox News - Trump alleged that "vital information" about the 2020 election was "covered up and hidden."

Fox News - Trump claimed that newly declassified documents include CIA reporting alleging Chinese interference in the 2020 election.

Deadline - Trump stated that ABC and NBC should lose their broadcast licenses for not airing his speech.

NY Post - CBS News aired part of Trump's speech but cut away before it finished.

WHERE:

Fox News - The speech was delivered from the White House.

WHEN:

Fox News - The speech was described as a primetime address.

WHY:

Fox News - Trump accused the media of being part of a plot to protect the "radical left" and to continue election fraud.

Deadline - Trump claimed that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him.

HOW:

CBS News - CBS News aired part of Trump's speech but cut away before it finished, while MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes of his speech live before providing commentary.

Newsweek - ABC News and NBC News moved Trump's speech to their respective streaming platforms, ABC News Live and NBC News Now, instead of airing it live on their main channels.

Newsweek - ABC News and NBC News moved Trump's speech to their respective streaming platforms, ABC News Live and NBC News Now.

Fox News - MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes of Trump's speech live before providing commentary.

Fox News - CBS News aired a special report that initially provided analysis before cutting into Trump's speech minutes after he began speaking and cut away moments after his attacks on ABC and NBC.

Fox News - CBS News aired part of Trump's speech but cut away before it finished, while MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes of his speech live before providing commentary.

Fox News - CNN planned to cover Trump's speech as a news event and provide on-air analysis and commentary.

Fox News - ABC News and NBC News carried the speech on their streaming platforms and later aired special reports recapping Trump's remarks.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Trump has claimed that newly declassified documents include CIA reports alleging that the Chinese Communist Party sought to prevent his reelection and attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden. In a lengthy 25-minute speech, he made several allegations, including that China obtained voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him. While CBS News aired part of his speech and MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes live, ABC News and NBC News opted to move the speech to their streaming platforms instead of airing it on their main channels, prompting Trump to criticize the networks for not broadcasting it.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 22:17 UTC)

Trump has alleged that newly declassified documents include CIA reports suggesting the Chinese Communist Party sought to prevent his reelection and attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden. CNN anchor John King explained the network's decision not to air Trump's speech live, citing his history of misleading statements regarding elections and election security. Meanwhile, Trump criticized the networks for not airing his speech, stating that they use public airwaves worth billions without paying anything, while ABC News and NBC News opted to stream his speech on their platforms instead.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 14:26 UTC)

Trump emphasized the importance of free and fair elections, stating, "They can't have a great country — and that's true — you can't have a great country without free and fair elections." During a 25-minute speech, he made several claims, including allegations that China obtained voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding intelligence from him, while also criticizing ABC and NBC for not airing his speech live. Both networks opted to stream his address on their platforms, ABC News Live and NBC News Now, instead.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 12:20 UTC)

In a recent speech aired live on Fox News, Trump accused the media of being part of a plot to perpetuate a fraud, stating, "They want to protect the radical left." He also claimed that media outlets use public airwaves worth billions without paying anything for them. CBS News briefly interrupted their analysis to cover Trump's speech, which included his criticisms of ABC and NBC, while MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes live before switching to commentary.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 11:21 UTC)

Trump criticized ABC and NBC for not airing his speech live, stating that they avoid the topic because they know how corrupt the system is. He also claimed that the networks should face consequences, suggesting that "fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses." Meanwhile, CBS News aired a special report that offered analysis before briefly cutting into Trump's speech, only to cut away shortly after he made his remarks about ABC and NBC.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 05:49 UTC)

Trump recently claimed that newly declassified documents contain CIA reports suggesting the Chinese Communist Party tried to interfere in his reelection efforts and even attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden. During a lengthy 25-minute speech, he made several allegations, including that China had access to voter registration data and that the "deep state" was withholding important intelligence from him. While CBS News aired part of his speech, they cut away before it concluded, and MS NOW broadcast the first 15 minutes live before transitioning to commentary.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 04:00 UTC)

President Trump delivered a primetime speech from the White House, where he criticized ABC and NBC for not airing his address live, claiming they should lose their broadcast licenses. He alleged that "vital information" about the 2020 election was "covered up and hidden," and pointed to newly declassified documents suggesting Chinese interference in that election. While CBS News aired part of the speech, they cut away before it finished, and Trump accused the media of being complicit in a plot to protect the "radical left" and perpetuate election fraud.