CNN anchor Jake Tapper didn't hold back on Thursday when he took a swipe at MSNBC over their unconventional coverage of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. And let me tell you, it's a bit of a spectacle!
So, what exactly happened? During an interview with Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Tapper threw some serious shade, saying, "We are here live, as opposed to some other networks that just have a big LED, who shall remain nameless."
Ouch! Tapper was calling out MSNBC for using an LED screen to give the illusion that their anchors were reporting live from the convention floor when they were actually in a studio in New York City.
According to The New York Times, Rachel Maddow, who has been front and center of MSNBC's GOP convention coverage, appeared on air with the convention as her backdrop. This setup made it seem like she was on the ground in Milwaukee.
However, the truth is that Maddow, along with Nicolle Wallace, Jen Psaki, Joy Reid, and other MSNBC anchors, were all broadcasting from Midtown Manhattan. Yep, that convention floor behind them was just a live feed projected onto an LED screen.
Veteran television news producers have described this arrangement as pretty unusual, calling it a "trompe l’oeil" effect—a fancy French term for art that's designed to deceive the eye. Basically, a quick glance at the screen would make you think that MSNBC's top anchors were right there in the thick of things at the convention. But they were actually miles away.
Now, MSNBC did announce beforehand that Maddow and the other top political anchors wouldn’t be traveling to Milwaukee. Instead, they sent Stephanie Ruhle and Katy Tur to cover the event on the ground.
An MSNBC spokesman also mentioned that at the beginning of every broadcast, hosts clarify that they are in New York or at MSNBC headquarters. However, critics argue that the live video feed of the convention floor sends a mixed message to viewers who tune in throughout the night.
Tapper's comment came right before former President Trump accepted the 2024 Republican nomination, adding an extra layer of drama to an already eventful night. His jab highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two networks and raises questions about the authenticity of news coverage.