Flake meets with heads of MSNBC, CNN, sparking rumors of pundit gig
Jun 28, 2018, 5:55 PM | Updated: Jun 29, 2018, 7:53 am
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., is queried by reporters about changing his vote to yes on President Trump's nomination of Oklahoma congressman James Bridenstine to run NASA, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 19, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake reportedly met with the heads of MSNBC and CNN this week, sparking rumors that he may trade in his Congressional job for a cable news pundit gig.
The Daily Beast reported that Flake met with MSNBC president Phil Griffin on Monday and CNN chief Jeff Zucker on Tuesday. The Arizona senator was also not present for a series of votes that took place around 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Neither of the networks responded to requests for comment and Flake did not confirm or deny that the meetings took place.
“That’s down the road — that’s six months,” Flake told the publication.
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Flake, who has been a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump’s, announced last year that he would not seek re-election, citing the “Trump factor” as a major reason.
As recently as February, Flake had been shutting down rumors that he planned to run for president in 2020.
“I don’t ever rule anything out, but it’s not in my plans right now,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News at the time. Flake said the same in December.
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, former Maricopa County Sheriff and Dr. Kelli Ward are vying for the Republican seat in the August primary election, while U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and Deedra Abboud are running for the Democratic seat.
