Both ABC's World News Tonight and NBC's Nightly News on Thursday evening devoted full stories to Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner's acceptance speech at last night ESPY Awards. The ESPYs are awarded by and televised on ESPN, a sister network of ABC.
Although Jenner's receiving the award was controversial even among liberal supporters of transgender rights -- critics charged that there were far more deserving recipients this year -- neither ABC's Elizabeth Vargas nor NBC's Hallie Jackson touched on that controversy.
I've included the transcripts for both stories below:
ABC
World News Tonight
July 16, 2015
6:53 p.m. Eastern; 8 seconds
DAVID MUIR, teasing story: When we come back here tonight, the moment seen by millions of Americans on live TV. The children in the audience holding back tears, and Elizabeth Vargas is standing by.
6:57 p.m. Eastern; 1 minute, 23 seconds
MUIR: Millions watched an Olympic champion, that award for courage. Here's Elizabeth Vargas.
ELIZABETH VARGAS: Caitlyn Jenner kissed her mother before walking up to that stage to accept the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.
CAITLYN JENNER: Thank you so much.
VARGAS: Jenner aware, not everyone at home is ready to accept.
JENNER: If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it.
VARGAS: Jenner then turns to her children. Every one of them, quietly wiping tears, watching the moment. Jenner has said, "I will always be their dad."
JENNER: I am so, so grateful to have all of you in my life. Thank you.
VARGAS: Jenner then with a message about acceptance. For all.
JENNER: It's not just about me. It's about all of us accepting one another. We're all different. That's not a bad thing.
VARGAS: Jenner then saying she is clear now with her responsibility, which is to reshape the landscape of how transpeople are treated. It was a moving moment last night. A noble goal, but my most accounts, a big one.
MUIR: Powerful with the whole family sitting right there, watching.Alright, Elizabeth, thanks. Always good when you're here.
# # #
NBC
Nightly News
July 16, 2015
7:15 p.m. Eastern*; 6 seconds
LESTER HOLT, anchor, teasing story: Also, the speech so many have been talking about: Caitlyn Jenner's impassioned plea for acceptance for the transgendered.
7:27 p.m. Eastern*; 1 minute, 39 seconds
HOLT: At the ESPY Awards honoring athletes in Los Angeles last night, the speech by one former Olympic champion resonated at the event and far beyond. It was Caitlyn Jenner's first major appearance since telling the world she was transgender, and NBC's Hallie Jackson was there.
HALLIE JACKSON, reporter: Millions tuned in to see Caitlyn Jenner speak at the ESPYs.
CAITLYN JENNER: If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it. [audience applause]
JACKSON: Alex Schmitter (sp?) watched from 50 rows back at the award ceremony. He transitioned to male only recently.
JACKSON: If she had delivered that speech when you were younger, do you think that would have helped you come out?
ALEX SCHMITTER (sp?): I would have seen myself in her, and how powerful a thing is that, to see yourself in someone else and, I don't know, it's indescribable because you don't feel alone in the world.
JENNER: For that reason alone, transpeople deserve something vital, they deserve your respect.
JACKSON: And that is resonating far beyond the trans community.
SCHMITTER: We want to be ourselves and we want to be loved and I think that's a universal truth for anybody.
JENNER: It's not just about me, it's about all of us, accepting one another. We're all different. That's not a bad thing.
JACKSON: A powerful message from a champion for change. Hallie Jackson, NBC News, Los Angeles.
*as aired on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. Most East Coast NBC affiliates carry the Nightly News live in the 6:30 p.m. Eastern hour, so for them the story aired roughly at 6:57 p.m. Eastern.
