Why 'Jeopardy!' Fans Are Furious Over Donald Trump's RNC Appearance

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The Monday, July 15 episode of Jeopardy! came to an abrupt end thanks to a special broadcast of Donald Trump's appearance at the Republican National Convention.

The interruption came just before the Final Jeopardy, meaning viewers were not able to see contestants Brenna Sniatecki, James Hayakawa, and Isaac Hirsch go head-to-head.

Viewers were not happy with the quick change, taking to social media to lambast ABC for the move. "ABC pre-empting Jeopardy for the Republican National Convention is loser behavior," one person posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Donald Trump
Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A news report of his appearance interrupted... Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"Nothing worse than flipping the channel to ABC to watch @jeopardy but seeing this clown and his cult members instead," another posted. One livid fan suggested the special report was too late anyway.

They wrote, "Did these suckers @ABC news interrupt Jeopardy to announce Trump's running mate. First, I heard that on Twitter 30 minutes ago, and second, that does NOT warrant a special report."

The convention was Trump's first public appearance since an assassination attempt was made at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13. Minutes into his speech shots rang out, and security escorted the former president off of the stage.

"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility," read a statement from Trump's spokesperson.

This latest interruption comes just days after Jeopardy! fans were in an uproar over the Thursday, July 11 episode being cut short for a press conference held by President Joe Biden. Before the last round of competition, the episode was replaced by a special ABC news report from David Muir of President Biden answering questions from reporters following his NATO summit speech in Washington, D.C.

"I'm frigging sick of politics and these old farts and basically this country. I just wanted to watch Jeopardy after yet another stressful day," one person posted on X. Another wrote, "'I will take Presidents that p**s me off for $500 Alex." A third fan fumed, "Interrupting Final #Jeopardy is the worst thing you can do to a daily viewer of the show."

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