Here’s what was said.
Nicolle Wallace Says She Stopped Airing Trump Press Briefings Because They Were Too Difficult to Watch
MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace says she stopped airing President Donald Trump’s White House press briefings during his first term because she found them too upsetting to watch.
During an appearance on former CNN anchor Jim Acosta’s Best People podcast, Wallace explained that she made the decision while Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as Trump’s White House press secretary. Wallace said she believed the administration’s messaging crossed a line and no longer wanted to broadcast the briefings on her program.
Her remarks have sparked fresh debate over the relationship between President Trump and members of the legacy media—a conflict that continues to shape the national political landscape.
Wallace Explains Why She Stopped Broadcasting the Briefings
Speaking with Acosta, Wallace said she refused to continue carrying Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ press briefings because she believed they contained false information.
“I stopped carrying Sarah Huckabee Sanders briefings,” Wallace said, explaining that her previous experience working inside the White House made the briefings especially difficult for her to watch.
Wallace acknowledged that every administration works to present its policies in the most favorable light. However, she argued that she believed the Trump administration’s messaging—particularly on illegal immigration—went beyond normal political messaging.
Wallace Also Criticized Trump’s Relationship With the Media
Wallace also discussed President Trump’s long-running disputes with major news organizations.
She said she was troubled by Trump’s public exchanges with Jim Acosta during his years as CNN’s chief White House correspondent and criticized the president for referring to portions of the mainstream media as the “enemy of the people.”
Before joining MSNBC, Wallace served as communications director during President George W. Bush’s second term, giving her firsthand experience inside a Republican White House. She launched her MSNBC program in May 2017, shortly before Sarah Huckabee Sanders became White House press secretary, a position Sanders held until July 2019.
Jim Acosta Says Trump Continues Challenging Legacy Media
Acosta echoed Wallace’s concerns during the interview, arguing that President Trump continues to challenge traditional media outlets much as he did during his first administration.
The former CNN anchor criticized several recent White House media decisions, including changes involving the Associated Press and adjustments to how the White House manages press pool assignments.
“It’s totally nuts,” Acosta said. “And I don’t know why the networks and the major newspapers ever tolerated that.”
Acosta also argued that the administration’s immigration enforcement policies could have lasting consequences for the country.
“We’re going to have to survive this and overcome this, or else our kids and our grandkids are doomed,” Acosta said, expressing concern about the nation’s political future.
Why This Story Matters
President Trump’s relationship with the national media remains one of the defining political issues of the modern era. Supporters argue that Trump has challenged what they view as longstanding bias within legacy media organizations, while critics contend his confrontational approach has increased tensions between the White House and major news outlets.
Wallace’s comments—and Acosta’s agreement—highlight how deeply divided opinions remain over the media’s role in covering the Trump presidency. For many conservatives, the interview serves as another example of prominent media personalities openly acknowledging their opposition to Trump, while supporters argue that Americans are increasingly seeking news from outlets they believe offer a broader range of viewpoints.
As the political climate continues to intensify, the ongoing battle between President Trump and legacy media figures is likely to remain a major topic heading into the next election cycle.
