Democrats advised CNN on interview questions for Donald Trump, according to new WikiLeaks release
Netwrok insists it had similar contacts with Republicans
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Democratic National Committee (DNC) apparently helped CNN anchors prepare for interviews with Donald Trump, according to the latest WikiLeaks email dump.
Included in some 8,263 emails released by WikiLeaks is an exchange that shows DNC staff discussing how to advise CNN on what questions to ask Mr Trump in a scheduled interview ahead of his foreign policy address.
However CNN defended the practice, saying it had sought the Republicans' opinions about questions to ask Hillary Clinton in order to "ensure a tough and fair interview".
Although the interview with Mr Trump was ultimately cancelled, the emails showed numerous questions were submitted by the DNC.
One email, sent from the DNC's research director Lauren Dillon to her colleagues, said: "[CNN journalist] Wolf Blitzer is interviewing Trump on Tues ahead of his foreign policy address on Wed. Please send me thoughts by 10:30 AM tomorrow."
An example of the questions that were sent to CNN included: “You've said we should have bombed the 'right people' after 9/11 and have suggested that the government has evidence Saudi Arabia was involved. Do you think we should have instead bombed Saudi Arabia?”
In a separate exchange, there were also internal DNC messages that indicate CNN asked for advice on what questions to put forward to former candidate Ted Cruz.
An email with the subject “Cruz on CNN”, sent in April of this year, said: “CNN is looking for questions.
“Please send some topical/interesting ones.”
A spokeswoman from CNN told The Independent: "This is completely unremarkable. We have similar communications with Republicans.
"When preparing for interviews, we are regularly sent suggestions from rival campaigns and political parties, both solicited and unsolicited. Casting a wide net to ensure a tough and fair interview isn't just common media practice, it's smart."
The latest release from WikiLeaks came only two days before the presidential election.
Based on recent polling, Ms Clinton appears the most likely to win.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments