The liberal media of today was still that same media that bashed America’s troops and supported our enemies during Vietnam. There was an updated version of that mentality visible during the Tuesday morning newscasts of ABC, CBS, and NBC when all three of them hyped China’s military parade marking the end of WWII; when, just a few months ago, they all condemned the U.S.’s military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday. They also hyped how this was a powerful flex against United States on many levels.
“China's president hosting Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India's prime minister. It could have major ramifications for the U.S., especially with India frustrated over President Trump's new tariffs,” announced ABC co-host Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.
ABC chief foreign affairs correspondent Ian Pannell touted how, “Over 20 world leaders attending a giant military parade Wednesday, including Iran and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Xi Jinping promoting this idea of China as a reliable, stable partner; trying to contrast with the Trump administration's often chaotic and punitive style.” He also highlighted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance and trade talks with China.
“Now, these countries are taking on the U.S. on different issues. India making it clear they are not happy with the Trump's punishing tariffs,” hyped ABC chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce.
Over on CBS Mornings, co-host Nate Burleson crowed:
China is celebrating the anniversary of victory in World War II with the leaders of Russia and other nations, but not the United States or its most important allies. It follows a summit that showed nearly all of U.S. rivals lining up on the same side. North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un who rarely leaves the country joined the celebrations this morning.
CBS foreign correspondent Anna Coren hyped up the parade as a showcase of China’s “moment of glory” and a chance to show off their “newest military hardware.” She also pointed out that it was a great time for China to build alliances and show they could be a better partner than the U.S.:
Well, that message was also conveyed over the weekend at the regional security summit in Tianjin, northern China where XI hosted more than 20 world leaders, including Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At this week's events, Xi is not only asserting China as a stable and reliable partner, he's also showing off the country's alliances and its might and power.
In the news brief on NBC’s Today, co-host Craig Melvin reported:
Chinese leader XI Jinping welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin as, quote, “an old friend” this morning as the two held as series talks. Relations between the two countries have deepened in recent years, especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today's meeting comes a day after both attended a summit in northern China along with India's prime minister. Tomorrow, they will attend a Chinese military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. North Korea's Kim Jong-Un is scheduled to attend.
But just three months ago, all three of the broadcast networks denounced and smeared the military parade that marked the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.
On ABC News program The View, co-host Sara Haines clutched her pearls and condemned seeing our soldiers:
I can't be the only one when I think of military parades, I think of Russia, I think of North Korea. I have these visuals of people saluting and doing things, and that's just not what I think of when I think of the U.S. … a parade that harkens World War II propaganda and just throw the money that way? I can't keep up with all of it.
Fill-in moderator Joy Behar even floated a conspiracy theory casting doubt on the coincidence that the Army and President Trump shared a birthday.
CBS Morning co-host Gayle King juxtaposed the Army’s birthday with the so-called “No Kings” rallies:
If you were paying attention to the news this weekend, and we hope you were, you were getting a very different image of how Americans are feeling about the state of our country. Hundreds of anti-Trump rallies around the country brought out millions of Americans. In the meantime, the President was outside the White House. He was presiding over a military parade on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, and it also happened to be his 79th birthday.
NBC cut out the fluff and simply smeared the Army as taking part in a “spectacle” that’s “typically seen in places like North Korea and Russia.”
While they all boasted about how this was China showing off its military might to potential partners and flexing against the U.S., they failed to note that China had already failed to come to the aid of a partner when the U.S. bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The transcripts are below. Click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
September 2, 2025
7:04:39 a.m. EasternROBIN ROBERTS: But now overseas, a high-stakes summit. China's president hosting Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India's prime minister. It could have major ramifications for the U.S., especially with India frustrated over President Trump's new tariffs. Are chief foreign correspondent Ian Pannell is tracking all of this for us. Good morning, Ian.
IAN PANNELL: Yeah, that's right. God morning, Robin. China touting its diplomatic, economic, and military might, as enemies and rivals of the U.S. are gathering in Beijing. Over 20 world leaders attending a giant military parade Wednesday, including Iran and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
Xi Jinping promoting this idea of China as a reliable, stable partner; trying to contrast with the Trump administration's often chaotic and punitive style. India's Prime Minister Modi joining XI and Putin Monday, jointly representing over three billion people and militaries over four-and-a-half million strong, standing shoulder to shoulder, laughing, smiling. Sending a clear message and challenge to Trump over sanctions and tariffs.
Actually saying, Modi’s locked in this battle with the U.S. over tariffs, pledging partnership with China. President XI in a swipe of the U.S. calling for opposition to, quote, “cold war mentality and bullying.”
So, this parade Wednesday is commemorating the end of China's war against Japan. It’s going to showcase the country's military might, and sending a strong signal that there is an alternative world order that’s now competing with U.S. domination. George?
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay, Ian. Thanks. Let’s bring in our chief White house correspondent Mary Bruce. And Mary, as Ian just said, clear signal to President Trump.
MARY BRUCE: Yeah, a very clear signal, but so far, George, the White House has been fairly quiet on what we are seeing coming out of this summit. No doubt they are watching this closely. The message being sent to this administration is loud and clear, challenging U.S. global leadership and projecting an alternative. One White House adviser calling this show of unity, quote, “troublesome.”
Now, these countries are taking on the U.S. on different issues. India making it clear they are not happy with the Trump's punishing tariffs. In response, the President taking to social media attacking India for buying, quote, “very little from the U.S.” and saying Indian proposals to cut tariffs are too late.
Putin is clearly trying to shore up support with China, is the Trump administration continues to threaten consequences as Russia slow walks these peace talks. The White House continues to say all options are on the table, including sanctions. But, George, so far they haven't follow through on any of these threats.
CBS Mornings
September 2, 2025
7:11:27 a.m. EasternNATE BURLESON: China is celebrating the anniversary of victory in World War II with the leaders of Russia and other nations, but not the United States or its most important allies. It follows a summit that showed nearly all of U.S. rivals lining up on the same side. North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un who rarely leaves the country joined the celebrations this morning. Anna Coren has more from Beijing.
ANNA COREN: Good morning. Behind me, on Chang-an Avenue, China will host its biggest ever military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
For Chinese leader XI Jinping, this will be a moment of glory. As commander-in-chief of the world's largest armed forces, he will watch as tens of thousands of troops march towards Tiananmen Square, showcasing the country's newest military hardware.
Among the guests attending, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. It will be the first time Kim appear together with XI and Putin in what is seen as a direct challenge to the U.S.-led world order.
Well, that message was also conveyed over the weekend at the regional security summit in Tianjin, northern China where XI hosted more than 20 world leaders, including Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At this week's events, Xi is not only asserting China as a stable and reliable partner, he's also showing off the country's alliances and its might and power. A message solely intended for the United States. For CBS Mornings, I'm Anna Coren in Beijing.
