In her first time back on the CBS Evening News following her maternity leave Monday, White House correspondent Weijia Jiang appeared to take a swipe at Trump supporters for fueling the feud between President Trump and anti-Semitic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN). In her report, Jiang put the blame for the “conflict” on Trump while downplaying Omar’s role and anti-Semitism.
After playing a soundbite of an angry Trump supporter shouting “we love America, who do you love,” Jiang suggested: “Dueling protests outside the President's event fueled the feud between Mr. Trump and Democrat Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim women in Congress.”
“The conflict started after Mr. Trump tweeted ‘We will never forget’ along with a clip of Omar talking about attacks on Muslims, since September, 11, edited with searing images of that day,” she continued. As for Omar’s responsibility for her comments, Jiang let the Congresswoman off the hook. “Critics claim Omar was too casual in talking about 9/11, but her supporters say the comment made at a conference for the Muslim advocacy group CAIR was taken out of context.”
Seemingly to prove Omar’s supporters as correct, Jiang played Omar’s full quote: “CAIR was founded after 9/11, because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.” But Jiang failed to mention that Omar didn't have her facts in order. Rather, the Council on American Islamic Relations was founded in 1994. CBS also failed to disclose CAIR’s known ties to terrorism.
Jiang also elevated condemnation of President Trump:
JIANG: Omar said she experienced direct threats on her life after the President posted the video. In response, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the U.S. Capitol Police to review her protection and called on President Trump to delete the post.
NANCY PELOSI: I don't think any president of the United States should use the tragedy of 9/11 as a political tool.
But actively hid Omar’s long history of anti-Semitic comments and hatred, only speaking of it vaguely:
JIANG: Omar has previously spoken out about Israel's influence in Washington, which drew criticism from both parties and the President.
DONALD TRUMP: No, she doesn't like Israel, does she?
“Speaker Pelosi says Capitol Police will continue to monitor and assess the threats against Omar, who is already dealing with security concerns before the President's tweet,” She said while wrapping up her segment. Given Jiang’s reporting, it’s clear the CBS reporter was trying to promote the ridiculous liberal accusation that Trump was out to incite violence.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Evening News
April 15, 2019
6:38:40 p.m. EasternJEFF GLOR: President Trump flew to Minnesota on Tax Day today to talk about what he says are the benefits of the big 2017 tax cut. And today Minnesota became the front line in a growing battle between the President and a freshman member of Congress who is in the middle of multiple controversies. Here's Weijia Jiang.
[Cuts to video]
PRO-TRUMP PROTESTER: We love America, who do you love?
WEIJIA JIANG: Dueling protests outside the President's event fueled the feud between Mr. Trump and Democrat Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim women in Congress. The conflict started after Mr. Trump tweeted "We will never forget" along with a clip of Omar talking about attacks on Muslims, since September, 11, edited with searing images of that day.
ILHAN OMAR: Some people did something.
JIANG: Critics claim Omar was too casual in talking about 9/11, but her supporters say the comment made at a conference for the Muslim advocacy group CAIR was taken out of context.
OMAR: CAIR was founded after 9/11, because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.
JIANG: Omar said she experienced direct threats on her life after the President posted the video. In response, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the U.S. Capitol Police to review her protection and called on President Trump to delete the post.
NANCY PELOSI: I don't think any president of the United States should use the tragedy of 9/11 as a political tool.
SARAH SANDERS: Certainly, the President is wishing no ill will and certainly not violence toward anyone, but the President is absolutely and should be calling out the Congresswoman.
JIANG: Omar has previously spoken out about Israel's influence in Washington, which drew criticism from both parties and the President.
DONALD TRUMP: No, she doesn't like Israel, does she?
[Cuts back to live]
JIANG: Speaker Pelosi says Capitol Police will continue to monitor and assess the threats against Omar, who is already dealing with security concerns before the President's tweet. Jeff, earlier this month, a man from New York was arrested for threatening to kill the Congresswoman.
GLOR: Okay, Weijia, thank you very much, and welcome back.
JIANG: Thank you.
