During a CNN panel discussion this morning on President Donald Trump’s free-wheeling campaign rally in Pennsylvania last night, Daily Beast Editor-in-Chief John Avlon noted that while Trump’s rallies are entertaining they definitely aren’t presidential.

Speaking to Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter, Avlon hit back at criticism of cable news networks for showing the entire rally on Saturday evening.

“Of course you broadcast them,” he said. “He’s the President of the United States.”

Pointing out that these campaign events are newsworthy events, Avlon said that what is really stunning about the rally is that it “demeans the presidency in a way that’s pretty insidious.”

“It ultimately does because it’s not a traveling medicine show,” Avlon declared when pressed on his claim by Stelter. “It’s not a carnival barker position. This is not a reality show.”

The Beast chief went on to say that the president has an incredible responsibility and needs to stop treating these events like pure entertainment meant to appeal to “white identity politics,” adding that presidents are supposed to try to unite the country.

Watch the clip above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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