Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated Tuesday that television networks possess an "ethical obligation" to not broadcast President Trump's upcoming national address if it is not "rooted in evidence and fact." The New York Democrat suggested that media organizations should review the content of Trump's remarks before deciding whether to air them.
"I don't think we should be contributing to any platforming of lies about our election," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters on Capitol Hill. "Many news outlets, oftentimes, may receive transcripts, and I think we have an ethical obligation to not air things that undermine our election that are not rooted in evidence and fact."
She added that the decision would depend on the specific content of the speech. Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump confirmed that his planned address, scheduled for Thursday night, would address "free and fair elections," among other subjects.
"It's really, really big for us and our country has to shape up," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "But that's what we're going to be talking about." He also stated, "It doesn't get bigger, because without free and fair elections, you don't have a country. We'll be discussing other things too. But it's going to be a very big announcement."