CNN's "Reliable Sources" anchor Brian Stelter criticized conservative news outlets for their "obsession" over the new revelations regarding the Russia election interference investigations and the Department of Justice dropping its case against retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Stelter said the outlets should be more focused on the death toll from the ongoing Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.
A firestorm of criticism has occurred following the declassification of the transcripts from the House Intelligence Committee's investigation where many of those interviewed said they did not have direct proof of President Trump's 2016 campaign colluding with Russia, despite multiple assertions from Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA).
"The numbers are important. The death toll is not something that just is downplayed, not something we can hide from, even if it’s gut-wrenching to hear about every day. It’s like New Orleans floods every day. It’s like the planes go into the towers every day," Stelter said.
"And to look away or act like it’s now normal or acceptable is a disgrace to the victims. It’s so disappointing to look at what we’re seeing from right-wing media these days. There’s such an obsession with the deep state and these revelations about the Russia probe and the decision about Michael Flynn. They’re treating the Michael Flynn story like it's a bigger deal than the deaths of 2,000 Americans a day," he continued.
Stelter went on to bash Trump for talking about Flynn's case during a phone interview with "Fox & Friends" for 20 minutes before talking about the coronavirus pandemic.
"In what right mind is any scandal, any political scandal, any Department of Justice story more important to ask the President about than the pandemic that’s raging?" Stelter asked.
Trump fired back at Stelter on Twitter, calling him a "poor man’s lapdog for AT&T!"
.@brianstelter is just a poor man’s lapdog for AT&T! https://t.co/nwDRFvym0P
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2020
In response, Stelter said it was the 88th tweet from Trump on Mother's Day.
This was tweet or RT #88 from the president today... Mother's Day. https://t.co/ymyImcufCW
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 10, 2020