So, The View finally addressed their embarrassing celebratory reaction to news that Donald Trump instructed ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to contact the Russians. It was under the impression that this occurred when Donald Trump was a candidate during the 2016 election. Cue the champagne popping on the Left. Here’s the smoking gun, right? Nope. ABC News’ Brian Ross, who reported on this story, botched it. It was President-elect Trump instructing Mr. Flynn to establish your usual connections with foreign governments from a new incoming administration. If Mr. Ross’ name doesn’t sound familiar, he was the guy who reported that the 2012 Aurora shooter, James Holmes, might be part of the Tea Party movement. Wrong again, Mr. Ross. Wrong. Again.
This video of Joy Behar cheering the Flynn news this morning is a good case study for how partisans disseminate information. She has only the smallest, most basic idea of what has happened, and she treats it as a game changer anyway. You wonder how "fake news" spreads? Watch: pic.twitter.com/NFVUIMj2K2
— Ruthless T. Firefly (@BecketAdams) December 1, 2017
It took several hours for ABC News to correct their shoddy report that tanked the markets last Friday. It was also the day where The View’s co-host, Joy Behar, jumped for glee over the erroneous news. Well, today’s episode was a but more measured (via Mediaite):
…on Monday, Behar started out by saying, “So on Friday’s show, apparently I was guilty of premature evaluation.”
The co-hosts of The View discussed the botched report and how careful journalists need to be in this current political climate.
Guest co-host Ana Navarro said, “He clearly made a mistake, he’s paying the consequences for that mistake, and I think it’s a good standard. Now, it’s the same standard I’d like to hold the President of the United States to.”
Meghan McCain was particularly bothered by not just the celebratory reaction, but also said, “I don’t want to sit on a show where I feel like we’re giving fake news or reacting irresponsibly.”
So, Brian Ross is getting December off for totally screwing pooch on the scoop of the century, tanking market, lying & calling it a clarification.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) December 2, 2017
Sure, please lecture me more on the damage Trump’s stupid tweets can do pic.twitter.com/sz10MngI39
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) December 2, 2017
Anxiously awaiting the correction that Joy Behar will read on air Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/UFuQFquWlN
— Dagen McDowell (@dagenmcdowell) December 2, 2017
I was promised treasonous collusion with Russia to steal an election, not diplomatic groundwork by an incoming admin.
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) December 2, 2017
If we want to regain trust in the media we need to admit our mistakes, especially when as consequential as this. Retract. Correct. Don’t use weasel words to describe it. https://t.co/jFIavaQ4yv
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) December 2, 2017
Great job, fellas. Really first class. It's been what, seven hours or so? On a Friday evening? Spectacular. https://t.co/FSAqZimVUw
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) December 2, 2017
Yeah, this come to Jesus moment comes after Behar’s moronic celebratory antics, but whatever. Ross’ error is once again a reminder for why people a) don’t trust the media; and b) why they hate the media. Also, and Stephen Miller of Fox News noted this, for all the talk about Trump’s Twitter use and how it could usher Armageddon, Ross’ report actually inflicted economic damage, so—we might want to revisit that talking point as well. Trump’s Twitter is not the only thing that can cause a ripple effect. Ross has been suspended for a month without pay over this flimsy story. Here’s the network's correction:
Correction: During a live Special Report, ABC News reported that a confidant of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn said Flynn was prepared to testify that then-candidate Donald Trump instructed him to contact Russian officials during the campaign. That source later clarified that during the campaign, Trump assigned Flynn and a small circle of other senior advisers to find ways to repair relations with Russia and other hot spots. It was shortly after the election, that President-elect Trump directed Flynn to contact Russian officials on topics that included working jointly against ISIS.