Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump accused the network of losing credibility and viewership. He specifically called out Wallace and Maddow for their remarks about 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a teenage cancer survivor.
DJ was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2018. Despite the odds, he continues his fight. In a special recognition, Trump invited DJ to the White House, where he honored him with a Secret Service badge, acknowledging his dream of becoming a police officer.
However, comments made by Wallace and Maddow after the event sparked backlash.
Wallace praised DJ’s aspirations but then referenced the January 6 Capitol riots. “I hope he’s alive for another 95 years, and I hope he lives the life he wants to live,” she said.
“He wants to be a cop, he knows what he wants to do, and maybe when you have childhood cancer, that crystallizes.” She then added, “I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters. And if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide.”
Maddow also criticized Trump, accusing him of using DJ’s story as a political spectacle.
“For the record, and this is disgusting, the president made a spectacle out of praising a young man who has so far survived pediatric cancer, as if the president had something to do with that.” She went further, claiming Trump’s budget policies had cut funding for pediatric cancer research.
Trump backfires
Trump responded harshly, condemning both anchors. “Worse than CNN is ‘MS-DNC,’ which is the worst. And the good news is very few people watch them anymore. They have lost such credibility,” he said.
He then targeted Wallace: “What Nicolle Wallace said—I’ve never been a fan of hers, and she’s not very talented—but I’ll tell you, what she said the other day about that young man is disgraceful. She should be forced to resign.”
He was equally critical of Maddow. “And Rachel Maddow should be forced to resign. Nobody watches her anyway. I don’t know if it’s possible they pay her as much money as I hear, but certainly, she’s lost all credibility,” he added. “Both of them should resign for what they said about that young person who is suffering.”
Following MSNBC’s coverage, DJ’s father, Theodis Daniel, also condemned Maddow’s comments. Speaking to the New York Post, he said, “She needs to shut her mouth if she has nothing nice to say.”
As a military veteran, he took particular issue with her remarks. “This lady didn’t even serve time in the military. I was on the USS Kitty Hawk. She does not need to put her bad energy on us.”
During the badge ceremony, Trump praised DJ’s strength and perseverance. “He has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago,” Trump said.
“Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true. And tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all.” He added
As controversy swirls, The Irish Star has reached out to MSNBC for an official statement, but the network has yet to respond.
Trump’s criticism of Wallace and Maddow highlights his ongoing battle with mainstream media. Whether MSNBC will address the backlash remains to be seen. For now, DJ’s story continues to inspire many, despite the political debate surrounding it.
