During an interview with CNN's Brian Stelter Sunday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tried to imagine a perfect world without the likes of Fox News. That's because Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., he charged, has tainted culture.
"There would be less overt hate" and "less appeal to racial division" if News Corp. didn't exist, De Blasio suggested. "Because what Murdoch did through Fox News and the New York Post, among others, is to create a dynamic where that stuff could come out in the open.”
Those outlets "try to stir the most negative impulses in this country," he added.
Stelter questioned De Blasio if that meant he "would rather not have the New York Post or Fox News exist?”
“Look, it's a free country, the mayor responded. "I’m saying, because they exist we've been changed for the worst.”
"But isn’t that like saying their fake news or they’re an enemy of the people?” Stelter pressed, comparing De Blasio's remarks to President Trump's rebukes against the media.
That exchange was too softball for some of the journalists that work for the news corporation De Blasio targeted. NY Post editor Seth Mandel, for instance, wondered on Twitter why Stelter let the mayor's comments go unchallenged.
So CNN elects Donald Trump, then brings Bill de Blasio on to claim Fox elected Donald Trump. Seems legit.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018
The war on the press is coming from inside the house.
Stelter saw the charge and left a YouTube link for Mandel to watch the whole interview.
You must have missed the part where I brought up security and safety. Here's the full interview. https://t.co/X0soNZYyHt
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 13, 2018
That, however, only made Mandel scoff.
Is that a joke? “Post staffers say it makes me feel unsafe”?? Are you doing a parody of yourself? You brought him on and let him smear all the work we do and you didn’t fucking challenge him on ANY of it. That’s how you feel about local news, Brian? You ridiculous soulless clown.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 13, 2018
Stelter had had enough, telling Mandel his rage was "shocking and unbecoming." Seeing that Mandel "didn't want to have a real conversation," Stelter bid him adieu.
Mandel wanted the last word.
You gave him an unchallenged platform. All because you want to keep the heat on Fox—and the NY Post be damned. I hope it was worth it.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 13, 2018