CNN’s Jake Tapper has teased an upcoming interview with 2024 Republican presidential primary candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
Tapper made the announcement Sunday that he will welcome DeSantis to his CNN program on Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 PM ET.
“I hope you’ll tune in,” Tapper said. “We obviously have quite a bit to discuss.”
The appearance by DeSantis will mark the first time he’s appeared on a broadcast or cable news network — sans Fox News — since announcing his presidential campaign.
The DeSantis campaign insists the decision to interview with CNN is not a shift in strategy. Reports over the weekend claimed several campaign staffers exited in a shakeup.
“The corporate media has gotten a lot wrong, and many outlets have an agenda. Therefore, we don’t consider them entitled to time or access,” DeSantis campaign spokesperson Bryan Griffin told The New York Post.
“Nonetheless there are many good journalists and truth-seeking reporters, including in mainstream media outlets, and we will work with them on our terms. That’s always been the plan.”
While the appearance for DeSantis is strictly an interview, it does open the door for a future town hall event on the network. Currently, CNN has hosted former President Donald Trump, former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC), and former Vice President Mike Pence for town halls.
