Wednesday’s highly anticipated public impeachment hearing amounted to a ratings flop, with only 13 million viewers tuning in, according to reports.
The hearing, which featured Bill Taylor, acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent, a senior State Department official, was teased as a “bombshell, given House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) allocating Democrats more time to dominate and minimize GOP voices in the first hour. Nonetheless, Democrats failed to live up to the hype, as reflected in viewership.
According to Axios, Wednesday’s lackluster impeachment hearing drew just 13 million viewers. The number pales in comparison to those who viewed former FBI Director James Comey’s June 2017 testimony and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s September 2018 hearing, which saw 19.5 million viewers and 20 million viewers, respectively.
Of the cable news networks, Fox News led the pack with 2.9 million viewers between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST, followed by MSNBC with 2.7 million, per Axios. CNN fell over one million viewers behind Fox News, attracting 1.8 million viewers. ABC edged out CBS, but both drew around two million viewers, followed by NBC with 1.7 viewers.
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People
Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution
Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban
Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran
Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican
Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat
Trial of Man Accused of Lighting Infamous Los Angeles Palisades Fire Ends Inconclusively
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
Tech Giant Dredges Up Major Player From Great Recession Saga To Be AI Watchdog
CIA’s Counter Espionage Department Investigated Unvaccinated Employees, Lawsuit Alleges
The numbers, however, do not reflect those who watched the debate on alternative platforms, as Axios noted.
The impeachment hearing left many Democrats feeling, privately, deflated. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) masterfully made a mockery of Schiff’s “star witness” by demonstrating Taylor’s stunning lack of knowledge:
The hearing forced impeachment-driven Democrats and establishment media outlets to tweak the narrative to focus on what they now claim is President Trump’s “attempted” crimes – bribery and extortion – despite a lack of basis for either accusation.
This exchange between Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Wednesday’s witnesses laid out the new narrative:
“So ambassadors, is attempted murder a crime?” he asked, repeating his question. “Is attempted murder a crime?”
“Attempted murder is a crime,” Taylor said.
“Is attempted robbery a crime?” he asked.
“Neither of us is a lawyer,” Taylor began before Castro interrupted.
“I think anyone in this room could answer that question,” he said.
“I’ll go out on a limb and say yes it is,” Taylor said.
“Is attempted extortion and bribery a crime?” Castro asked, trying to draw a parallel.
“I don’t know sir,” Taylor said.
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People
Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution
Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban
Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran
Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican
Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat
Trial of Man Accused of Lighting Infamous Los Angeles Palisades Fire Ends Inconclusively
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
Tech Giant Dredges Up Major Player From Great Recession Saga To Be AI Watchdog
CIA’s Counter Espionage Department Investigated Unvaccinated Employees, Lawsuit Alleges
The second round of public impeachment hearings, featuring former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, will air Friday at 9:00 a.m. EST.
Story cited here.
