CBS News wants to take 'middle ground' on airing Trump's speech as network chiefs wrestle over whether to carry it live

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. JUST IN: NBC and ABC Will Not Air Trump's Primetime Address Live

I also hope MS NOW does not broadcast this speech live

JUST IN: NBC and ABC Will Not Air Trump’s Primetime Address Live

— Mediaite (@mediaite.com) 2026-07-16T20:24:32Z

https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/just-in-nbc-and-abc-will-not-air-trumps-primetime-address-live/

NBC and ABC will not be airing President Donald Trump’s planned national address this evening, multiple reporters shared Thursday and Mediaite has confirmed. Instead, both networks will show the speech on their streaming platforms. There is precedent for the move — networks previously declined to air certain speeches given by President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden in real time.

Brian Stelter posted the news via a series of threaded posts on X.

“In sum: Trump will not be getting the wall-to-wall airtime he wants from everyone, but the speech will be widely streamed and available,” he explained.

Link to tweet

“NBC says ‘we will provide live coverage of the president’s remarks at 9pm ET tonight on NBC News NOW. We plan to air a special report on the network following the remarks,'” Stelter continued.

A spokesperson for ABC said in a statement shared with Mediaite, “ABC News will run President Trump’s speech on ABC News Live and ABC News Radio with comprehensive, anchored coverage. We will also cover the speech in our regular network newscasts and, as always, our Special Report team is fully prepared to break into network programming to deliver live updates and reporting should significant developments occur.”