# Broadcast networks deliberating whether to air Trump's prime time immigration address

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 7, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374 "2019-01-07T22:06:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/41 "2019-01-08T19:56:06Z")

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> [@ekedolphin](#):
>
> Is it _really_ necessary to have all four networks, and two cable networks, simulcasting _anything?_

None wants to the be the network that took a pass on an event that will draw viewers and therefore advertisers. It’s not like one central planner decided that they all need to do this.

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**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/42 "2019-01-08T21:31:36Z")

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The Votemaster thinks there is a real chance he will declare a state of emergency and order the military to start building a wall. See: [ElectoralVote](https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2019/Pres/Maps/Jan08.html#item-2).

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/43 "2019-01-08T21:34:01Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Trump’s communication skills are very limited. It’s pretty bad when a speaker has to use “lock her up” to excite a campaign rally.
> 
> He won’t have a crowd to feed off this time. This speech may be totally forgettable or it could be Trump’s Joseph McCarthy moment.
> 
> I doubt he’ll sway the nation with his stunning oratory. 😉

I predict sniffing.

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**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/44 "2019-01-08T21:48:22Z")

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> [@N9IWP](#):
>
> Maybe they could air it “pop up video” style so for every factual error a pop up would say “actually, \<real data\>”…
> 
> Just a thought,  
> Brian

Please make this a reality. Can’t Watson (the computer) determine lies and provide factual answers relatively quickly?

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/45 "2019-01-08T22:28:13Z")

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Is this going to be the live-follow-along thread? Because I’m curious, but not enough to actually watch it.

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**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/46 "2019-01-08T22:29:47Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> Is this going to be the live-follow-along thread? Because I’m curious, but not enough to actually watch it.

That’ll be fun. I haven’t done one of those since … election night 2016.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/47 "2019-01-08T22:49:27Z")

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WaPo offers follow-along fact-checking sheet.

“Your fact-checking cheat sheet for Trump’s immigration address”

> **[Analysis | Your fact-checking cheat sheet for Trump’s immigration address](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/08/your-fact-checking-cheat-sheet-trumps-immigration-address/)**
>
> Here's a guide to 20 suspect claims that the president may say tonight.

> [@](#):
>
> Here’s a guide to 20 possible assertions the president could make tonight so that readers can follow along as he speaks. You could use these claims to create your own form of bingo. If you are tempted to create a drinking game, however, we recommend you water down the drinks.  
> …

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**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/48 "2019-01-08T23:09:36Z")

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When inevitably called out on his impromptu Lies Of The Union address by all sane agencies, he’ll scream Fake News. It’s a feature, not a bug, since it lets him continue his Harassed President narrative and keeps his name & face in a few more news cycles (until the next thing). Solving the nation’s problems? ‘This nation’s biggest problem is that not enough people are saying how great I’m doing. Believe me.’

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/49 "2019-01-08T23:28:30Z")

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> [@Ike\_Witt](#):
>
> Be thankful that Trump only wants to speak on TV. Remember a few months ago when the government tested out the system to text every cell phone? Imagine a non-stop Twitstorm that you couldn’t avoid if you wanted to…

Or loudspeakers in every home, like they have in parts of North Korea.

I have a relative on Facebook whose 15-year-old daughter is autistic and has some degree of intellectual disability. Mom asked Daughter if she wanted to watch the speech tonight, and Daughter replied, “No. I hate him.”

“That’s not a nice word. How about ‘dislike’?”

“OK, I dislike (x10) him.”

She raised this kid right. 🆒

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**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/50 "2019-01-08T23:31:16Z")

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> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> None wants to the be the network that took a pass on an event that will draw viewers and therefore advertisers. It’s not like one central planner decided that they all need to do this.

I can’t find it now, but I read earlier this morning that the networks carrying the speech have agreed to carry the Democrats’ rebuttal.

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/51 "2019-01-09T00:14:03Z")

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This is Trump’s only request to address the nation in two years.

At least he’s not abusing this Presidential perk.

Right now the biggest concern is getting this government shutdown ended. People need their paychecks.

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**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/52 "2019-01-09T00:19:30Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> This is Trump’s only request to address the nation in two years.
> 
> At least he’s not abusing this Presidential perk.
> 
> Right now the biggest concern is getting this government shutdown ended. People need their paychecks.

A bullshit speech filled with lies with no purpose but politics certainly counts as “abusing” this. I suppose there’s a chance this speech won’t be this, but if it is, it’s an abuse, morally speaking, for sure.

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**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/53 "2019-01-09T02:03:02Z")

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I think it’s a terrible idea for NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX (I assume CW has no fucks to give). It’s fine for CNN, FOX news, MSNBC. Radio’s fine too. While there are many people who do not have cable/satellite and don’t go online, there are options for people to do so if they really wanted to watch him. Again: radio.

By giving in to this bullshit, they’re feeding the ego. He’ll pull this shit again now that he’s done it once. I don’t want my tv interrupted because he got in a fight with Melania and his phone battery died and he needs to be validated for half an hour.

If they didn’t do it for Obama, they shouldn’t do it now.

And you never give in to bullies.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/54 "2019-01-09T02:18:42Z")

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I think there are 3 points that Democrats and progressives should hammer home every chance they get:

1. If Dems give in on this wall funding demand, he’ll pull this same shit every single time he wants something.

2. If the border wall is of such pressing need, why didn’t Republicans make it a priority and approve the funding for it when they controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency over the past 2 years?

3. If people are genuinely concerned about national security, they should work hard to remove the Russian asset currently occupying the Oval Office.

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/55 "2019-01-09T02:34:00Z")

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Trump found a pretty good speech writer.

He seemed to stick to the script and read the teleprompter.

I’d view the Democrats position more favorably if Schumer and Pelosi weren’t on record supporting a physical barrier in 2006. That bill passed the Senate with impressive numbers.

This is partisan politics at it’s ugliest and worst. Neither political party gives a shit about the families that aren’t getting paid and will soon be in serious financial trouble.

It’s time to end this shutdown. Come together, compromise and find middle ground. Imho the DACA bill that included funding for improving the border fence is a good place to start. The Democrats get something (DACA) they want and Trump gets a scaled down version of his wall/fence.

> **[Fact-check: Did top Democrats vote for a border wall in 2006](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/apr/23/mick-mulvaney/fact-check-did-top-democrats-vote-border-wall-2006/)**
>
> White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said he doesn’t understand Democratic opposition to funding the border wall be

> [@](#):
>
> The&nbsp;Secure Fence Act of 2006, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President George W. Bush, authorized about 700 miles of fencing along certain stretches of land between the border of the United States and Mexico.
> 
> The act also authorized the use of more vehicle barriers, checkpoints and lighting to curb illegal immigration, and the use of advanced technology such as satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles.  
> \<snip\>  
> Obama, Clinton, Schumer and 23 other Democratic senators voted in favor of the act when it passed in the Senate by a vote of 80 to 19.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/56 "2019-01-09T02:48:13Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Trump found a pretty good speech writer.
> 
> He seemed to stick to the script and read the teleprompter.
> 
> I’d view the Democrats position more favorably if Schumer and Pelosi weren’t on record supporting a physical barrier in 2006. That bill passed the Senate with impressive numbers.
> 
> This is partisan politics at it’s ugliest and worst. Neither political party gives a shit about the families that aren’t getting paid and will soon be in serious financial trouble.
> 
> It’s time to end this shutdown. Come together, compromise and find middle ground. Imho the DACA bill that included funding for improving the border fence is a good place to start. The Democrats get something (DACA) they want and Trump gets a scaled down version of his wall/fence.  
> [PolitiFact | Fact-check: Did top Democrats vote for a border wall in 2006?](https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/apr/23/mick-mulvaney/fact-check-did-top-democrats-vote-border-wall-2006/)

Trump already had a chance to agree to that deal, and passed.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/57 "2019-01-09T02:48:47Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Trump found a pretty good speech writer.
> 
> He seemed to stick to the script and read the teleprompter.
> 
> I’d view the Democrats position more favorably if Schumer and Pelosi weren’t on record supporting a physical barrier in 2006. That bill passed the Senate with impressive numbers.
> 
> This is partisan politics at it’s ugliest and worst. Neither political party gives a shit about the families that aren’t getting paid and will soon be in serious financial trouble.
> 
> **It’s time to end this shutdown. Come together, compromise and find middle ground.** \<snip\>

If only that could have happened before today. [Oh, wait](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-signals-it-might-accept-a-short-term-spending-bill-to-avert-shutdown/2018/12/19/63148a02-0395-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html?utm_term=.1b2083502291). (WaPo, December 19, 2018)

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**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/58 "2019-01-09T04:58:38Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Trump found a pretty good speech writer.
> 
> He seemed to stick to the script and read the teleprompter.
> 
> I’d view the Democrats position more favorably if Schumer and Pelosi weren’t on record supporting a physical barrier in 2006. That bill passed the Senate with impressive numbers.
> 
> This is partisan politics at it’s ugliest and worst. Neither political party gives a shit about the families that aren’t getting paid and will soon be in serious financial trouble.
> 
> It’s time to end this shutdown. Come together, compromise and find middle ground. Imho the DACA bill that included funding for improving the border fence is a good place to start. The Democrats get something (DACA) they want and Trump gets a scaled down version of his wall/fence.  
> [PolitiFact | Fact-check: Did top Democrats vote for a border wall in 2006?](https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/apr/23/mick-mulvaney/fact-check-did-top-democrats-vote-border-wall-2006/)

Your desire for appeasement truly knows no shame, does it?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/59 "2019-01-09T07:18:22Z")

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People’s lives are being ruined by this extended shutdown. Making Trump look bad isn’t worth hurting innocent people.

Politics has always been grounded in compromise. That’s the only way a two party system can function.

I’m not suggesting that Trump gets everything he wants. Both sides have to compromise.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-networks-deliberating-whether-to-air-trumps-prime-time-immigration-address/827374/60 "2019-01-09T12:16:37Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> People’s lives are being ruined by this extended shutdown. Making Trump look bad isn’t worth hurting innocent people.
> 
> Politics has always been grounded in compromise. That’s the only way a two party system can function.
> 
> I’m not suggesting that Trump gets everything he wants. Both sides have to compromise.

No.

This isn’t in any way, shape, or form about making thump look bad. That is a short-sighted and naive assessment of the situation.

Normal politics is about compromise, give and take, and negotiation. This is not normal politics. At best, this is tantrum-throwing on thump’s part, and at worst, it is hostage-taking and blackmail. Thump has never negotiated in good faith in his entire career, up to and including the presidency. You do not negotiate or compromise with him; you “give in” and “lose.” His own party should bring him around with pressure from their side.

His threats cannot be allowed to succeed, or like a toddler or a teenager, he will pull this shit every time he wants something.

Again, no.

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