How the News Networks Covered Jimmy Carter’s Passing

The United States is in mourning for the former president Jimmy Carterwho died on Sunday at the age of 100. According to the Carter CenterThe 39th president died at his home in Plains, Ga., surrounded by family.

President Joe Biden announced that Carter’s state funeral will be held in Washington, DC on January 9. The Carter family also accepted an invitation from Congress for the former president’s body to lie in state in the rotunda of the US Capitol.

Carter’s death occurred during a period of low staffing for broadcast and cable news outlets due to the Christmas holiday period. However, the networks had clearly prepared for this situation, since they quickly aired the tribute packages and provided continuous coverage as the evening continued. (All Eastern times.)

Fox News was the first network to announce Carter’s death, led by a former national correspondent Rich Edsonat 4:07 pm The network initially attributed the news to “reports”, and offered official confirmation at 4:22 pm.

WATCH: At 4:07pm/ET, Fox News con @RichEdsonDC was the first television network to announce the news of former President Jimmy Carter’s death today pic.twitter.com/0gUa86vZbj

– TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) December 29, 2024

Fox News largely stuck with its regular programming for the rest of the evening, airing updates as needed. However, the network preempted the 5 pm edition of Life, Liberty & Levin and aired an extended version of The Big Weekend Show at 7 pm.

Elsewhere, CNN brought in the weekday anchor Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper for its primetime coverage, while MSNBC had Jonathan Capehart anchor of primetime breaking news coverage. NewsNation aired a special report live at 8 pm which was anchored by Blake Burman and looked back on Carter’s life.

On the broadcast networks, ABC News aired a special edition of 20/20 entitled Jimmy Carter: A Full Life at 10 pm.