CNN seemingly abandons its official policy banning Roger Stone from appearing as an on-air guest

Despite its long-standing and publicly announced policy, CNN hosted Stone to promote his upcoming book

CNN hosted President Donald Trump confidant and Infowars conspiracy theorist Roger Stone to promote his new book, reversing a decision the network made in 2016 to no longer host Stone on its airwaves.

For years, Stone regularly leveled sexist and racist attacks (often via Twitter) against politicians and members of the media, including current and former CNN personalities. He called CNN political commentator Ana Navarro an “Entitled Diva Bitch,” a “pompous shithead,” “borderline retarded,” and “a rabid Pekinese,” and wrote, “Black beans and rice didn't miss her.” Stone also attacked CNN analyst Roland Martin when Martin was still at CNN, referring to him as a “stupid negro," a “fat negro,” and “CNN's racist moron--dumb, embarassing (sic), token,” and asked him, “Who made you God, Fattass? Eat somemore Popeye's.”

By February 2016, Stone’s vile Twitter attacks on CNN personalities resulted in an indefinite suspension from the network, with a CNN spokesperson telling Politico, “He will no longer appear as a guest on CNN.” In April 2017, Twitter briefly locked Stone’s account after he threatened a Media Matters employee. And in October 2017, Twitter permanently suspended Stone’s account “following a series of derogatory and threatening tweets from Stone to CNN personalities.”

Stone’s May 7 appearance on New Day suggests an apparent reversal of CNN’s 2016 decision, as the network not only chose to provide a platform for the prominent conspiracy theorist and Infowars host, but also gave him an opportunity to hawk his new book.

Media Matters has asked CNN for comment on this and will update with any response.