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CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC refuse to air Trump’s ad over 'fake news' claim

Sunday, 07 May 2017 1:47 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 07 May 2017 2:37 PM ]

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office of the White House. (file photo)

Several national television networks in the United States have refused to air President Donald Trump’s advertisement praising the accomplishments of his first 100 days in office.

ABC, CBS and NBC joined CNN in declining to show the advert, dubbed “America is Winning,” which touts the president’s achievements since his January 20 inauguration, but also criticizes the news media for unfair coverage.

The advert features famous anchors -- Andrea Mitchell of NBC, Scott Pelley of CBS, George Stephanopoulos of ABC, Wolf Blitzer of CNN and Rachel Maddow of MSNBC – whose faces are superimposed over the words “Fake News.”

In a statement, CNN defended the network's decision not to air the ad by rejecting the notion of "fake news."

"The mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is."

ABC News said the ad was a “personal attack” and that it “did not meet guidelines.”

Trump has repeatedly used the term "fake news" largely for any coverage criticizing him or his administration.

“The Fake News media is officially out of control. They will do or say anything in order to get attention - never been a time like this!” the president said in a tweet this week.

Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and campaign consultant, said the news networks blocked the advert because it did not fit their “biased narrative.”

“This is an unprecedented act of censorship in America that should concern every freedom-loving citizen,” she added.

The 30-second advert was produced by Trump's campaign committee and is his first official campaign video for 2020 presidential election.

Trump has already filed to seek re-election.

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www.presstv.co.uk