CNN delays Bill Maher town hall after Trump travel ban decision
By Hector Cruz
CNN has pushed Bill Maher’s “The Messy Truth” town hall with Van Jones to Friday in favor of coverage of Donald Trump’s travel ban court decision.
CNN was scheduled to air a new edition of Van Jones’ The Messy Truth on Thursday where Real Time host Bill Maher discussed current events with a studio audience in a town hall format. However, the episode has now been rescheduled after news broke that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled against reinstating Donald Trump’s travel ban, prompting a fast and furious response from the president on Twitter. It was replaced by a second hour of Anderson Cooper 360, and will now air Friday night at 9 p.m ET instead.
The cable network hyped up the special with two preview clips released earlier today showing the comedian going toe-to-toe with a Trump supporter, and declaring that he would convert to Mormonism and match the $1 million he gave to President Obama if Mitt Romney could replace Trump as president.
“I’ll become a Mormon, how about that? I will become a Mormon and give you a million dollars, Mitt Romney, if you will please take over the country,” he pleaded.
CNN has attempted to maintain the ratings momentum they’ve had since the election by hosting several debate and town hall events, including a debate focused on Obamacare between senators Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders Tuesday night, which came in first place in the 25-54 demo over its cable news competitors, though it trailed Fox News among total viewers. They’ve also recently hosted town hall events headed by Nancy Pelosi and Paul Ryan to smaller audiences.
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The Messy Truth will now air an hour before Maher’s Real Time, which will welcome Piers Morgan, John Waters, Sen. Al Franken, Karine Jean-Pierre and comedian Jim Jefferies on Friday’s episode at 10 p.m. on HBO.