WATCH: Anderson Cooper Melts Down In First Monologue Since Trump Town Hall, Tells Audience He Understands If They Never Watch CNN Again

CNN Host Anderson Cooper erupted into a lengthy tirade over former President Trump’s town hall event in New Hampshire, which was hosted by the network. Cooper told his viewers that they had a right to be upset after the network hosted somebody who “attempted to destroy democracy,” adding that they would be justified in never wanting to tune in again.

“Many of you have expressed deep anger and disappointment, many of you are upset that someone who attempted to destroy our democracy was invited to sit on a stage in front of a crowd of Republican voters to answer questions, and predictably continued to spew lie, after lie, after lie,” Cooper ranted.

The longtime CNN contributor went on to say that it was “disturbing” to hear “that person” refer to a “black law enforcement officer as a ‘thug,'” referencing Trump’s comments on Capitol Police Officer Michael Byrd, who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6. Cooper also found it “disturbing” that Trump vowed to pardon January 6 Capitol protesters, many of whom have been slapped with lengthy prison sentences for simple trespassing.

WATCH:

Trump’s response to the E. Jean Carroll verdict, questioning of the 2020 election, and the crowd’s positive reaction to the former president were likewise characterized as “disturbing” or “awful” by Cooper.

Cooper went on to tell his viewers that he understands their frustration with seeing “that man” on their network before reminding them that Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.

“Now, maybe you haven’t been paying attention to him since he left office, maybe you’ve been enjoying not hearing from him; thinking ‘it can’t happen again,’ some investigation will stop him, well it hasn’t so far,” Cooper said. “So if last night showed anything it showed it can happen again, it is happening again. He hasn’t changed, and he is running hard,” he continued.

He then told his viewers that they had a right to be “outraged,” adding that they had a right to “never watch this network again,” before again reiterating that ignoring Trump won’t “make that person go away.”