CNBC Must Remove January 6 Defender Joe Kernen From the Air

CNBC host Joe Kernen has repeatedly made excuses for Donald Trump’s behavior on January 6th and downplayed the seriousness of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. It is unacceptable for a prominent media figure to defend an insurrection and dismiss threats to our democracy.

Recently, Kernen falsely claimed, "In the heat of the moment, I think at that point he really did believe that it had been stolen," defending Trump's actions and attempting to justify his role in inciting the mob. 

This dangerous rhetoric spreads misinformation and downplays the gravity of Trump’s efforts to overturn a free and fair election.

In another instance, Kernen dismissed the importance of holding Trump accountable for the insurrection. While speaking to former Republican Senator Pat Toomey, Kernen suggested that the fact Trump is an insurrectionist "doesn’t matter" and advised Toomey to “be worried about other things like tax policy and regulations." Joe Scarborough rightly responded, questioning how an attack on the government could be compared to changes in the tax code. 

Comments like these show Kernen’s willingness to overlook fundamental threats to democracy in favor of partisan talking points.

But Kernen's problematic behavior doesn’t stop there. He has frequently lied about Vice President Kamala Harris's policies, misleading the public about her economic plans. 

Kernen's misrepresentations of Harris's policies serve to misinform CNBC's audience and further his biased, inaccurate and pro-Trump narrative.

Someone who defends an attack on our democracy and spreads lies about public officials should not have a platform on NBC’s flagship financial news show. 

Democracy depends on holding media figures accountable for their dangerous rhetoric. Sign our petition to demand that CNBC remove Joe Kernen from the air.