CNN has parted ways with political analyst Donna Brazile after leaked e-mails showed that she had contacted Hillary Clinton’s campaign with questions prior to two events televised by the network.
Officials said in a statement that the network is “completely uncomfortable” to learn through WikiLeaks that former Brazile had contacted the Clinton campaign ahead of time about a question that would be posed during a presidential primary town hall last March in Flint, Michigan.
CNN announced Monday that it had accepted Brazile’s resignation as a contributor two weeks ago. Her deal had been suspended in July when she became interim head of the Democratic National Committee.
The material released Monday from the hacked file of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta revealed at least the second time that Brazile had communicated to Clinton aides about questions Hillary Clinton might be asked on the air.
Brazile took the position with the DNC after former chairDebbie Wasserman Schultz resigned in July.
Weeks ago, she responded to criticisms over social media when it first surfaced that she had written to Podesta and Clinton campaign communications director Jennifer Palmieri.
Go back and watch CNN’s Prime time agenda on debate nights. To ensure fairness, we AGREED that I wasn’t on pre and post. Check the records. https://t.co/OyxknLvl6D
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) October 12, 2016
CNN’s statement said the network “never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate. We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.” Brazile tweeted Monday her well wishes to the CNN staff.
Thank you @CNN. Honored to be a Democratic Strategist and commentator on the network. Godspeed to all my former colleagues. — Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) October 31, 2016
Image: Democratic party chairperson Donna Brazile talks with audience members before the Republican vice-presidential debate. Joe Raedle/Pool via AP
