Just in case you thought CNN had any journalistic morals left, last night Don Lemon introduced Corey Lewandowski as "still receiving severance from Donald Trump" Media Matters reports:
These references appear to be the first time CNN has disclosed the severance payments even though Lewandowski was hired nearly three weeks ago, raising questions about when the network became aware that its commentator was still being paid by his former employer.
Media observers have harshly criticized CNN over Lewandowski’s hiring pointing to his non-disclosure and likely non-disparagement agreements with the Trump campaign as “profoundly disturbing” ethical conflicts. Since his hiring, Lewandowski has by his own admission continued to advise the Trump campaign, even pushing a camera away from the candidate during a campaign stop.
In his on-air appearances, Lewandowski has acted more like a spokesman for the campaign than as an independent commentator, defending all of Trump’s actions in a way that, as one Washington Post reporter noted, indicates he “has not yet transitioned out of his role as a Trump employee.”
I appreciate the catch and the report, MMFA, but "acted more like a spokesman" is an understatement. Every time we run a video of Lewandowski here at C&L it is clear that he works first and foremost for "Mr. Trump." It was a silly waste of your reputation as a news channel, your payroll budget, and your goodwill with your shareholders that you "hired" this guy to pad his resume with your logo.
