Kirstie Alley told to 'change the channel' by CNN after criticising its coronavirus coverage
Actress Kirstie Alley has been told to “change the channel” by CNN after she criticised the US broadcaster’s coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Look Who’s Talking and Cheers star took to social media to accuse CNN of inciting fear by reporting on the worldwide crisis.
Tweeting to her 1.5 million followers, she said: “I now Know why my personal friends who walk around in SHEER TERROR of contracting Covid are simply CNN viewers!
Read more: Kirstie Alley speaks out after attacks over Trump support
“I decided to watch CNN myself to get a their viewpoint and oh my God DID I EVER!!!! IF YOU TOO WANT TO LIVE IN TERROR WATCH CNN!! FEAR OF DYING IS THEIR MANTRA! OMG!”
CNN’s communications account responded: "Kirstie, you are welcome to change the channel – just like countless viewers did every time Veronica’s Closet came on TV.
“But don’t downplay the loss of nearly 230K American lives. And please, wear a mask.”
Kirstie, you are welcome to change the channel - just like countless viewers did every time “Veronica’s Closet” came on TV. But don’t downplay the loss of nearly 230K American lives. And please, wear a mask.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) October 30, 2020
Veronica’s Closet was a sitcom Alley starred in between 1997 and 2000.
The response, posted Friday (30 October) has been liked over 100,000 times.
Alley, 69, is a keen supporter of Donald Trump and told fans earlier this month why she would be voting for him in the upcoming US presidential election, and confirmed she also backed him in 2016.
She tweeted: “I’m voting for @realDonaldTrump because he’s NOT a politician. I voted for him 4 years ago for this reason and shall vote for him again for this reason.
“He gets things done quickly and he will turn the economy around quickly. There you have it folks there you have it.”
When asked about Alley’s endorsement while appearing on Fox & Friends, Trump said: “I think she’s great and I’ve always liked her. I just think she’s got courage you know. She’s Hollywood, she did very well in Hollywood.
“I think she's great, and I think she has great hair.”
Watch: Kirstie Alley responds to people unhappy with her support of Donald Trump