July 29, 2016

Donald Trump Faults GOP for Poor Convention Ratings

“I didn’t produce our show. I just showed up for the final speech.”

Carlo Allegri/Reuters/ZUMA

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Donald Trump is suddenly distancing himself from last week’s Republican National Convention, after television ratings show that the Democratic National Convention consistently pulled in more viewers across the country for three consecutive nights.

“I didn’t produce our show,” Trump told the New York Times. “I just showed up for the final speech.”

While the ratings for the fourth night have yet to be announced, Trump did appear anxious that Hillary Clinton’s final convention night on Thursday would top his own. Earlier that morning, the Republican nominee sent a campaign letter to his supporters urging them not to tune in.

According to CNN, the DNC’s biggest night was Monday, when it racked up 26 million viewers. Trump’s Monday night attracted 23 million.

The ratings loss is likely to be a particularly sensitive topic for Trump. The reality star has long boasted of being a ratings bonanza, with viewers flocking to witness his unpredictable, inflammatory performances throughout the primary debate season. Trump’s presence in the debates created record-breaking numbers for television networks.

In Cleveland, however, Trump failed to secure the kind of star-studded event he promised would take place at the convention. While his convention’s roster included Scott Baio, Antonio Sabato Jr., and Kid Rock, the Democratic convention blew away the competition with Meryl Streep, Paul Simon, and Alicia Keys.

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