CNN Refuses to Run Trump Campaign's Biden Ad

"In addition to disparaging CNN and its journalists, the ad makes assertions that have been proven demonstrably false by various news outlets, including CNN," the network said.

CNN won't run a 30-second advertisement purchased by Donald Trump's re-election campaign after the network decided it does not meet its standards.

The advertisement, which was tweeted by the president last week, relates to Joe Biden's conduct toward Ukraine while he served as vice president. In "Biden Corruption," a narrator derisively refers to CNN personalities Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo and Jim Acosta as "media lapdogs."

“CNN is rejecting the ad, as it does not meet our advertising standards,” a network spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. “Specifically, in addition to disparaging CNN and its journalists, the ad makes assertions that have been proven demonstrably false by various news outlets, including CNN."

Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh responded: “CNN spends all day protecting Joe Biden in their programming, so it’s not surprising that they’re shielding him from truthful advertising too, and then talking to other media outlets about it. Our ad is entirely accurate and was reviewed by counsel, and CNN wouldn’t even describe to us what they found objectionable. This isn’t a cable news channel anymore, it’s a Democrat public relations firm.”

NBCUniversal's cable networks are currently evaluating whether to air both the "Biden Corruption" and "Coup" advertisements, according to a company spokesperson.

Separately on Thursday, the Biden campaign sent a letter to Fox News urging the network to reject the Trump campaign ad that centers on the candidate and to "reject any advertisement containing similar claims, regardless of whether the Trump campaign or a third-party group seeks to place it."

"If, however, you do permit this or any similar advertisement to run, you are acting with the understanding that the Trump campaign is using your facilities to mislead your viewers," Biden campaign manager Greg Schultz wrote in the letter, which was obtained by THR.

The CNN also rejected a Trump campaign ad in August 2017 called "Let President Trump Do His Job," which featured a broadside against the media and specifically called out Lemon and anchor Anderson Cooper.

"CNN would accept the ad if the images of reporters and anchors are removed," a network spokesperson said at the time. "Anchors and reporters don’t have 'enemies,' as the ad states, but they do hold those in power accountable across the political spectrum and aggressively challenge false and misleading statements and investigate wrong-doing." (The Trump campaign accused CNN of "censoring" its message.)

Representatives of the Trump campaign did not respond when asked by THR if they bought space for the ad on MSNBC or any broadcast networks.

CNN's latest ad rejection was first reported by The Daily Beast.