Both CNN and MSNBC chose not to broadcast former President Donald Trump's address to supporters following his arraignment on Tuesday. Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony charges related to his handling of classified documents.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper justified the network's decision, explaining to viewers that airing the speech could be risky due to the potential for disseminating false information. He stated that Trump frequently makes inaccurate and possibly harmful statements.

Earlier on Tuesday, Tapper had expressed his disapproval to CNN's production team for showing footage of Trump interacting with his supporters. He characterized Trump's actions as an attempt to transform the legal proceedings into a spectacle and a campaign opportunity.

MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow also announced her network's similar decision. She explained that MSNBC anticipated Trump's remarks to resemble a campaign speech and therefore opted not to broadcast them live. Maddow emphasized that airing known falsehoods damages the network's credibility and journalistic principles.

She clarified that the decision was not made lightly and could be reconsidered if Trump presented any newsworthy information. Maddow also highlighted that knowingly broadcasting false statements undermines their ability to report accurate news.

CNN's decision follows recent leadership changes and internal tensions. Former CEO Chris Licht was dismissed after facing criticism for hosting a town hall with Trump, a move that alienated some viewers and staff.

In his post-arraignment speech, Trump characterized the indictment as politically motivated "election interference" and an abuse of power. He also criticized Special Counsel Jack Smith and accused President Biden of orchestrating his arrest.

Despite the charges, Trump remains a leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.