CRITICS SLAM MATT LAUER ON TWITTER FOR LAST NIGHT'S ONE ON ONE INTERVIEWS WITH CLINTON AND TRUMP!

Andrew Harnik via Talking Points Memo

On Wednesday night, the “Today” show host, Matt Lauer moderated the primetime, NBC News “Commander-in-Chief Forum” conducting two separate thirty-minute interviews, first with Hillary Clinton and second with Donald Trump.  Clinton lost in the coin toss so Trump made her go first.

Several media critics ripped into Lauer’s line of questioning and even his overall behavior, during the primetime NBC News forum via Twitter.

Lauer was first criticized for his choice to question Clinton about the private email server issue.  This discussion lasted 10 minutes, which caused him to later shorten the conversation on ISIS.  When an audience member asked Clinton to explain her plans to defeat ISIS, Lauer interrupted and said, “As briefly as you can.”  Political commentator Norman Ornstein tweeted, “It is amazing. Lauer interrupted Clinton's answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump. Tough to be a woman running for President.”

Twitter @NormOrnstein

Lauer was also criticized for his questions directed at Trump.  Lauer asked Trump his opinion about the war in Iraq, to which Trump responded, “I was totally against the war in Iraq.”  But earlier, Clinton had referenced an interview Trump previously had with Howard Stern in which Trump said he supported the war.  Ezra Klein, Founder of Vox.com, tweeted, “It’s not a great idea, in general, for journalists to let politicians get away with bald-faced, on-camera lies."

Twitter @ezraklein

Former aide to President Obama, Tommy Vietor, tweeted, “How in the hell does Lauer not factcheck Trump lying about Iraq? This is embarrassingly bad.”

Twitter @TVietor08

Many other media critics took to Twitter to share their outrage and dislike for Lauer’s performance.

Former President Obama speechwriter, Jon Favreau tweeted, “I don't blame Lauer for asking the email question. But it's ABSURD that he started off with Trump, ‘Why should you be Commander-in-Chief?’”

Twitter @jonfavs

New York Magazine columnist, Jonathan Chait tweeted, “Trump lies about opposing Iraq war. Lauer lets it go. No follow up. Unreal.”

Twitter @jonathanchait

Will Saletan, a writer at Slate tweeted “Lauer has done great interviews. But that's one of the weakest, least incisive performances I've seen from a presidential forum moderator.”

Twitter @saletan

New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, summed up the general consensus in his tweet, “This #NBCNewsForum feels like an embarrassment to journalism. It's about soundbites, not serious discussion of foreign policy.”

Twitter @NickKristof

TERROR AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT

Murad Sezer/Reuters

On Tuesday night, three terrorists attacked Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.

Two of the terrorists opened fire in the airport terminal, and the third in the airport parking lot.  After security forces responded, the gunmen detonated suicide bombs.

The attack left 41 people dead, 239 injured, and 109 currently hospitalized.

“The attack killed 6 Saudis and wounded 27 more,” said the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry.

The other victims killed included 2 Iraqis, a Tunisian, Chinese, Iranian, Ukrainian, Jordanian and 1 person from Uzbekistan.

The attack appears to be the work of ISIS or an ISIS related group.  No one has officially claimed responsibility.

Be sure to check back in with THE WANNA for updates on this developing story.

STEVEN TYLER TALKS AEROSMITH FAREWELL TOUR, AND DENIES BAND BREAK UP RUMORS.

Zach Whitford Photography

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler recently phoned in to Howard Stern’s radio show to promote his new solo album.  The album is titled, “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere.”  The album features singles, “Love Is Your Name,” and “Red White and You.”  Tyler’s album is set for release on July 15th.

Stern got Tyler talking about recent Aerosmith break-up rumors.  Eventually, Tyler revealed to Stern, “We’re doing a farewell tour, but only because it’s time.”  Tyler’s remark was met with audible gasps from Stern and crew.

Although it’s been in the headlines all week, Tyler never actually stated that the farewell tour meant the band is splitting up.  In fact, Tyler only had good things to say about his band mates.  Tyler told Stern, “I love this band, I really do.  I want to squash every thought that anybody might have about this, that the band’s over.”  When asked how long the farewell tour could last, Tyler responded, “Probably forever.”

You can listen to Tyler's radio interview with Howard Stern here.

THE WANNA Show recently interviewed Steven Tyler about his charity, Janie's Fund.  Be sure to check out the video here.

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