One of the Fox News reporters went rogue. It has been no secret that the network has been working to discredit other news outlets’ via attacks on Donald Trump. Then on Friday, this happened.
Jennifer Griffin reported her results during the 3:00 pm Fox News Hour about the accuracy of The Atlantic’s article. Then, during The Five, Jesse Waters and Greg Gutfeld jumped into the frey. They derided parts of The Atlantic report as “a hoax” and said, according to CNN Business:
‘[T]here are no sources [and it had] already been debunked.’
Bret Baier, Fox News’ chief political news anchor agreed. The Chyeon indicated ‘FAKE NEWS’: TRUMP DENIES STORY HE CALLED DEAD TROOPS ‘LOSERS.”
Baier let John Roberts, who had relied on anonymous sources, try to pour cold water on The Atlantic’s article earlier in the day, deliver a report casting doubt on it. And then he presented Griffin’s rep Shad asked for support:
“QUESTIONABLE COMMENTS: ATLANTIC STORY ALLEGES TRUMP REMARKS ON SERVICE MEMBERS.”
Jon Scott was filling in for Martha MacCallum. He covered the story for 7:00 pm and tried to address Griffin’s reporting, which confirmed many of the key aspects of The Atlantic‘s reporting, what did the network do? It led with Trump’s denial. The splash headline quoted Trump saying, “IT’S A HOAX.” And the main headline read, “Trump denies Atlantic report he belittled military in canceled trip amid conflicting accounts.”
Jon Passantino is currently working for CNN. He tweeted:
‘I used to manage the Fox News dot com homepage. This would be an extraordinary and unusual decision to run this denial as the top story despite having confirmed key details of the reporting…’
Brian Stelter wrote:
‘From the reporting in my new book “HOAX.”‘ I think this passage from Page 18 is most applicable to Friday’s news. I wrote that anchors and commentators felt ‘excruciating pressure to please the Fox base — and avoid their wrath.’ This pressure comes, in part, from the daily ratings reports… The Nielsens are like ‘an invisible hand,’ one Fox veteran said, pushing everyone in a rightward direction. So banners and segments and bookings are all influenced by the fear that viewers will turn the TV off…”
‘[L]inguist John McWhorter told Stelter:
‘”Hoax” is a potent word, I’n being an angry and mean one,’ the It “carries an air of accusation, of transgression.” McWhorter called it “the quintessence of Trumpian self-expression…”‘
Griffin explained her involvement in a rapid series of tweets. This was the first tweet, but it will not be the last:
‘Two former sr Trump admin officials confirm .@JeffreyGoldbergreporting that President Trump disparaged veterans and did not want to drive to honor American war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery outside Paris.’
‘President Trump’s staff explained he could cancel (his visit to the cemetery), but he was warned”‘, ‘They (the press) are going to kill you for this’.” The President was mad as a hornet when they did.’
‘According to one former senior Trump administration official: “When the President spoke about the Vietnam War, he said, ‘It was a stupid war. Anyone who went was a sucker’.”‘
‘Re: trip to mark 100th anniversary of WW I Source: “The President was not in a good mood. Macron had said something that made him mad about American reliability and the need perhaps for a European army. He questioned why he had to go to two cemeteries. Why do I have to do two’?”
‘I read the source a few quotes from The Atlantic article. This former Trump admin official said, “The President would say things like that. He doesn’t know why people join the military. He would muse, ‘Why do they do it’?”‘
‘I read the source a few quotes from The Atlantic article. This former Trump admin official said, “The President would say things like that. He doesn’t know why people join the military. He would muse, ‘Why do they do it’?”‘
‘The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.’
‘When asked IF the President could have driven to the Aisne-Marne Cemetery, this former official said confidently: “The President drives a lot. The other world leaders drove to the cemeteries. He just didn’t want to go.”‘
‘Regarding McCain, “The President just hated John McCain. He always asked, ‘Why do you see him as a hero?” Two sources confirmed the President did not want flags lowered but others in the White House ordered them at half mast. (sic) There was a stand off (sic) and then the President relented:
‘According to one former senior Trump administration official: “When the President spoke about the Vietnam War, he said, ‘It was a stupid war. Anyone who went was a sucker’.”‘
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
