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.
Ex-Trump ally MTG slams both sides of the political aisle: ‘Nothing ever changes’
Dem hopeful who co-founded Joe Rogan’s favorite jeans under fire for ‘Made in America’ claim
What to watch as Virginia voters decide high-stakes redistricting referendum
Trump pleads with Virginians to ‘just vote no’ on redistricting measure in telerally call
Another Democrat exits California’s crowded gubernatorial race weeks before the June 2 primary election
Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base
Louisiana Mass Murderer Who Killed 8 Children Previously Got Probation for Firing Gun Toward a School: Report
Mom, pregnant teen and 12-year-old found bound and murdered as police hunt multiple suspects
Cory Booker Calls for ‘Foot Soldiers’ to Take to the Streets to ‘Stand Up’ Against ‘Darkness’ in Bizarre Rant
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of young girl allegedly found dismembered, decomposing in his car
IDF Takes Quick Action After Soldier Caught Smashing Statue of Jesus in Lebanon
NASA coordinating with relevant agencies in missing scientists probe
Soros-linked dark money network fuels Virginia redistricting push backed by national Democrats
Republicans Are Banking on ‘October Surprise’ to Keep Senate Majority: Report
GOP blasts Virginia amendment as maps could swing delegation to 10-1 Democratic advantage
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.
Ex-Trump ally MTG slams both sides of the political aisle: ‘Nothing ever changes’
Dem hopeful who co-founded Joe Rogan’s favorite jeans under fire for ‘Made in America’ claim
What to watch as Virginia voters decide high-stakes redistricting referendum
Trump pleads with Virginians to ‘just vote no’ on redistricting measure in telerally call
Another Democrat exits California’s crowded gubernatorial race weeks before the June 2 primary election
Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base
Louisiana Mass Murderer Who Killed 8 Children Previously Got Probation for Firing Gun Toward a School: Report
Mom, pregnant teen and 12-year-old found bound and murdered as police hunt multiple suspects
Cory Booker Calls for ‘Foot Soldiers’ to Take to the Streets to ‘Stand Up’ Against ‘Darkness’ in Bizarre Rant
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of young girl allegedly found dismembered, decomposing in his car
IDF Takes Quick Action After Soldier Caught Smashing Statue of Jesus in Lebanon
NASA coordinating with relevant agencies in missing scientists probe
Soros-linked dark money network fuels Virginia redistricting push backed by national Democrats
Republicans Are Banking on ‘October Surprise’ to Keep Senate Majority: Report
GOP blasts Virginia amendment as maps could swing delegation to 10-1 Democratic advantage
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.
