Scott Whitlock
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Actor Ron Perlman suffered a meltdown on Twitter, Monday, attacking the United States, smearing a Marine and launching into a profanity-laced tirade. The star of shows such as Sons of Anarchy and films like Pacific Rim freaked at the news that America would be withdrawing from the United Nations Human Rights Council:
CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King was absolutely unhinged on Monday, putting aside any pretense of objectivity as she blasted the Trump administration’s policy of separating the children of illegal immigrants: King excoriated it as a form of “child abuse,” an indication of “zero humanity” and lectured viewers at the start of the show that the “Statue of Liberty weeps” at the action.
In 2011, veteran ABC journalist Barbara Walters cheered on Anthony Weiner, praising the “good Congressman” who had been accused of texting lewd images to young women. Appearing on The View, Walters hailed Weiner, saying: “[He] should hang in there.”
ABC on Friday breathlessly reported on the “bombshell” Inspector General report, but the network skipped the revelation that an FBI agent vowed to “stop” Donald Trump’s 2016 victory. Over on NBC, Chuck Todd insisted that the real victim of all of this was Hillary Clinton.
CNN journalists suffered a full-on meltdown during Thursday’s White House press briefing, screaming, waving their hands and offering repeated outbursts of emotion. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee dismissed CNN analyst Brian Karem and zinged journalist Jim Acosta, telling him: “I know it's hard for you to understand even short sentences.”
CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King on Thursday fawned over porn star lawyer Michael Avenatti, hailing him as a “rock star.” King, a Democratic donor who is lobbying Oprah Winfrey to run for president, touted the appearance of Avenatti on Wednesday’s Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
CBS This Morning on Wednesday did what most media outlets won’t do: The show took a serious look at efforts to arm teachers and other staff as a way to stop school shootings. Reporter Adrianna Diaz explained how Florida’s School safety guardian program will work: “Armed with real guns and real bullets, these everyday people like a minister, former teacher, and retired police officer are training to take down a potential school shooter.”
Journalists have been unsurprisingly slow to notice the latest appalling comments from Bill Clinton in which he appears to insist that times have changed and you can no longer grope people. On Thursday’s PBS NewsHour, he talked to Judy Woodruff about Al Franken and the senator’s exit from the Senate.
Glum is a word that described the reaction on MSNBC to the North Korean summit. With an annoyed tone, the Morning Joe hosts of Tuesday mocked the chances for success in the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. MSNBC guest Jon Meacham even denied that the summit was “historic.”
Far-left HBO host Bill Maher admitted on Friday he’s rooting for an economic disaster, but most media outlets have been silent in response to his shocking comments. In contrast, journalists pounced on Rush Limbaugh’s 2009 comments on Barack Obama’s liberal agenda: “I hope he fails.”
Call it a moment of clarity on MSNBC. Liberal co-host Stephanie Ruhle on Monday acknowledged that perhaps swearing “f**k Trump” on national television might not be the best strategy to persuade middle America. Yet, the 9am hour journalist also informed her viewers that she curses out the President while showering.
Some of the examples we use at This Week in Media Bias History are so oblivious and bizarre that they stand on their own for sheer insanity. Such is the case for Newsweek editor Evan Thomas on June 5, 2009. While talking about Barack Obama, he rhapsodized: “Obama’s standing above the country... above the world. He’s sort of God.” There you go. “Sort of God.” You knew some journalist would say it.
Over the span of just three days, CBS This Morning devoted a whopping 28 minutes and 44 seconds to promoting possible 2020 candidate Oprah Winfrey. Co-host Gayle King (a Democratic donor) admitted in February that she is pushing her good friend Winfrey (a Democratic donor) to run for president. The talk show host appeared on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to tout her new book club selection and to discuss the new Winfrey exhibit at the Smithsonian’ National African American History Museum.
One week after TBS host Samantha Bee unleashed an obscene attack on Ivanka Trump, most of the advertisers seem to have disappeared from her Full Frontal show. Bee on Wednesday night returned to blame the media for playing up her vulgar comments, but companies like Taco Bell, Jim Beam, Geico and others did not.
ABC’s Nightline on Monday night repeatedly pushed the idea that Colorado cake baker Jack Phillips is guilty of bigotry, even finding it “ironic” that the Supreme Court found discrimination against him. In a nearly ten minute segment, Co-host Juju Chang condescendingly lectured Phillips about not baking cakes for gay marriage: “You're well aware that history, historically, businesses have used religious exemptions to deny service to African-Americans?"
When people think of the liberal venom coming from MSNBC, many would single out Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow or Lawrence O’Donnell. But the 9am hour has quietly become another home on the network for angry rants. On Wednesday, guests compared Donald Trump to a dictator and somehow linked Trump’s White House speech on Tuesday to the assassination of Robert Kennedy.
File this one in the “when did you stop beating your wife” category. Time magazine’s website on Tuesday offered a very slanted headline about the Supreme Court’s decision on Monday in a religious liberty case. Regarding a man who did not want to make a cake for a gay marriage, Time.com blared: “Colorado Bakery Owner Insists He's Not Biased Despite Going to Supreme Court Over Cake for Gay Couple.”
Better late than never? CBS This Morning on Tuesday awoke to the idea that, when it came to sexual abuse, Bill Clinton might be “remembered as a man who abused his power.” The morning show hosts highlighted Bill Clinton’s train wreck book tour where the former President insisted he didn’t owe Monica Lewinsky an apology.
Talking to a top Obama speechwriter, CBS This Morning hosts on Monday avoided a potentially awkward conversation about journalists shilling for Barack Obama's Iran deal. While talking to Ben Rhodes, the reporters instead worried about Donald Trump dismantling the agenda of the ex-Democratic president.
Religious liberty advocates scored a victory on Monday as the Supreme Court, by a 7-2 decision, ruled that a Christian baker could not be compelled to bake a cake for a gay marriage. MSNBC immediately offered a nothing-to-see-here tone, throwing some cold water on the win. MSNBC Live host Hallie Jackson asked a legal analyst: “Do you believe that religious liberties advocates will try to run a victory lap here?”