CNN host Michael Smerconish criticizes major television networks for not airing President Trump’s primetime election-related speech live. In comments reported by Mediaite and The Hill, Smerconish says networks acted with “condescension” when they declined to broadcast the remarks on their channels. He argues that audiences should be trusted to decide for themselves whether to watch and assess the president’s comments. Smerconish also directs criticism at his own network, CNN, which he says is among those that did not carry the Thursday night address live. The Hill reports that several major broadcasters, including CNN, NBC and ABC, refused to air Trump’s speech as scheduled. The accounts characterize the disagreement as a dispute over editorial judgment and audience access, with Smerconish asserting that viewers can evaluate the content directly rather than being denied live coverage. The reports do not indicate that Smerconish’s remarks led to any immediate change in network broadcasting decisions.