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Media Busted Altering Grandkid Coverage, Following the Science Is Now Bad, and NYT Dictates Donations

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Aug 03, 2023
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

08.03.23

Stealth Story Evolution – VARIOUS OUTLETS

  • Secretly correcting Biden’s shifting family values.

The media have been having a bear of a time lately trying to prop up the Bidens as a uniquely close and moral family unit, all while they have displayed rampant dysfunction and questionable character. Just look at the way they have addressed the fact that Hunter has a bastard daughter he has never met and how the family has refused to acknowledge the toddler until this past Friday.

Now that President Jose has officially admitted the 4-year-old Navy (not Biden) is a grandkid, a curious shift has been discovered in the press. Stephen Miller found a number of publications that have gone back and altered older stories on the Bidens. Articles that originally stated the First Family had half a dozen grandkids, now read “7 grandchildren.” This thread is amazing.

Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – THE HILL

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In Oklahoma, Governor Peter Stitt just signed an executive order, dubbed  "The Women’s Bill of Rights," in an effort to protect female areas. Of course, this is directly tied to transgender activist advances, and in the matter of looking at an issue as one of women’s rights or trans rights, the press has clearly picked sides.

In its coverage of the signing, The Hill declared Governor Stitt a backward-thinking Cro Magnon because he adheres to those crusty old biological standards and doesn't embrace the contemporary thinking that there are more than 60 genders.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed an executive order Tuesday directing state agencies to adopt narrow definitions of “male” and “female.”

DNC PR Firm – ASSOCIATED PRESS

At the AP, coverage of the Stitt order was just as bad. Okay, that’s not entirely fair; it was worse. Reporter Sean Murphy tells readers that, as a result of this new legislation, “trans rights are targeted,” though he never actually gets around to explaining what rights or laws are being altered. He also never gets around to quoting anyone in support of this EO.

He does, however, find a way to get quotes from a Democrat state legislator opposing the new order, as well as a local trans rights activist describing the move as “an attack.” Murphy must not have been able to find supporters or get quotes…despite attending Stitt’s signing ceremony, which was also attended by Riley Gaines and members of the group who helped craft the policy, Independent Women’s Voice.

1st Amendment Strike Force – NEW YORK TIMES

  • The need to block team owners from donating to the “wrong” candidates is rather authoritarian.

In a great example of a journalist having blinders on regarding an issue, Sopan Deb at The New York Times believed to have a scathing expose on his hands regarding the owners of an NBA franchise. Deb reveals that the DeVos Family, who owns the Orlando Magic, made a donation to a PAC that supports Ron DeSantis. This is, apparently, a scandal. 

The donation was also a reminder that for all of the N.B.A.’s professions of support for progressive causes that its players believe in, several billionaire team owners — whose interests Silver represents — have deployed their own power to fight those very causes. The N.B.A. is hardly to blame when a hot-button bill fails to pass a divided Congress. But it is harder for the league to effect change when some of its team owners have made it their mission to elect people who oppose that change.

It would seem that Mr. Deb believes that everyone in the NBA is required to think, vote, and donate in a uniform political fashion. It is becoming rather common to see journalists who bristle at the concept of individual thought taking place.

Stolen Validity – POLITICO

  • The scandal of a presidential campaign renting cars continues to be investigated...?

Recently, Ron DeSantis was campaigning when his motorcade was involved in an accident. Reported as a “wreck,” it was, quite literally, a fender-bender after the lead car stopped short due to an accident on the Tennessee highway. The next car in the convoy could not stop in time and a few vehicles collided in a chain reaction.

In looking through the police reports, Politico claimed to see a vital discrepancy! It was said that “government vehicles” were involved in the collisions, but Politico notes the cars were actually rentals. A perceived scandal was afoot, because it looked like the campaign was possibly using state-appointed cars. But in becoming energized by this revelation, the outlet appears to have stepped on the initial reports of a Florida news outlet. The latest “Playbook” paid proper attribution.

It turns out the DeSantis rental car reservation that we highlighted in yesterday’s Florida Playbook was first reported at News 6 in Orlando, so we want to give credit where it’s due.

That Orlando report actually clarifies things and dispels any campaign finance “scandal.” DeSantis is to be guarded by the FDLE, per Florida laws, so that agency renting the vehicles is in fact proper.

“Under (Florida law), FDLE is directed to provide security for the Governor and other dignitaries,” FDLE spokesperson Gretl Plessinger said in response to questions about whether the agency paid for the Tennessee motorcade vehicles. “The statue (sic) also directs FDLE to produce an annual report providing a fiscal accounting of transportation and protective services.”

Reporting On The Mirror – THE ATLANTIC / PBS

● The good news is that this means fewer will be influenced by his misinformation.

On the Public Broadcasting Service's longstanding news show “Washington Week,” they have announced they finally have an official replacement as host, since Yamiche Alcindor vacated her post back in February. Her replacement will be editor-in-chief at The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, and it will lead to the show being rechristened “Washington Week With The Atlantic.”

In announcing his new position, Goldberg wrote of the news in this fashion:

Our two organizations share a journalistic sensibility; both are dedicated to nuanced and incisive reporting and analysis, which, I don’t have to tell you, has become harder to find these days. 

Amusing to see those words from the journalist who pushed the lie that Donald Trump called dead soldiers “losers,” and ran glowing pieces on Adam Kinzinger.