On the 22nd Anniversary of the September 11 attacks, President Joe Biden decided to snub the families of those who died in those horrific terrorist attacks by being the first American President not to attend one of the three sites. Despite this despicable action, ABC’s World News Tonight kept their viewers in the dark about Biden’s absence. While CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News managed to mention Biden skipped the ceremonies in favor of an event in Alaska, both networks downplayed it.
Instead, ABC’s World News Tonight found time to run a story about how a Delta Airlines passenger lost their dog and subsequently found it at an Atlanta airport.
“The President returning from Asia marked this solemn day alongside service members in Anchorage, Alaska,” CBS Evening News correspondent Nancy Cordes reported.
Attempting to run cover for Biden’s callousness, Cordes spun “It is rare for a U.S. President to spend 9/11 far from the three crash sites. In his stead, the First Lady took part in a replaying ceremony at the Pentagon and the Vice President paid tribute at ground zero in Manhattan.”
No, it’s not “rare” for Biden to not pay tribute to the nearly three thousand Americans who died on 9/11, it’s unprecedented. Biden was the first President not to visit one of the three sites of the attacks.
On NBC Nightly News, correspondent Rehema Ellis decided to make it about “conservative media” criticizing Biden instead of pointing out Biden’s heartlessness.
“In attendance, Vice President Kamala Harris. But President Biden under criticism from conservative outlets for being the first President not to be at the White House or a memorial site on the anniversary,” Ellis huffed. “Instead, he was visiting troops in Alaska. 9/11 families criticized Biden for not attending. Conservative media only gave voice to them.
At least Ellis was honest that Biden is “the first President not to be at the White House or a memorial site on the anniversary.”
This biased coverage from the three networks was made possible by Allstate on ABC, Prevagen on CBS, and Liberty Mutual on NBC.
The transcripts are below:
CBS Evening News
9/11/2023
6:43:26 p.m. EasternNORAH O’DONNELL: Americans are marking 22 years since the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and forever changed our country and the world. President Biden took part in a memorial ceremony with troops and their families at a military base in Alaska while on his way home from the G20 Summit. CBS's Nancy Cordes is at the White House on this day of remembrance.
NANCY CORDES: The President returning from Asia marked this solemn day alongside service members in Anchorage, Alaska.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Each of those precious lives stolen too soon when evil attacked.
CORDES: It is rare for a U.S. President to spend 9/11 far from the three crash sites. In his stead, the First Lady took part in a replaying ceremony at the Pentagon and the Vice President paid tribute at ground zero in Manhattan. Where nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on that crisp September day in 2001.
NBC Nightly News
9/11/2023
6:42:08 p.m. EasternREHEMA ELLIS: Once again a solemn day of remembrance. Bells tolling at 8:46 and 9:03, the moment when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center 22 years ago.
UNIDENTIFIED 9/11 FAMILY MEMBER: Alvin Peter Spelman Jr.
ELLIS: Then the emotional reading of nearly 3,000 names of those who died that day.
UNIDENTIFIED 9/11 FAMILY MEMBER: And my poppy, Gerard Patrick Schrang, firefighter from Rescue Company 3. I miss you and love you. I wish you got to take me fishing. We love you, Poppy.
ELLIS: In attendance, Vice President Kamala Harris. But President Biden under criticism from conservative outlets for being the first President not to be at the White House or a memorial site on the anniversary. Instead, he was visiting troops in Alaska.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I join you on this solemn day to renew our sacred vow. Never forget. Never forget.
