In January, NewsBusters noted that far-left New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s sudden resignation caused the big three news networks in the United States to get weak knees over what they described her as an “empathetic” leader, an “inspiration,” a “pioneer,” and "trailblazer" for her authoritarian tenure in office. On Wednesday, NBC Nightly News used the last segment of the broadcast usually reserved for superficial human interest stories to drool over Ardern one last time on her way out the door.
Just like NBC's segment in January, there was no mention of her socialist views and sympathy for the Communist Chinese government or the tyrannical lockdown policies she enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, anchor Lester Holt acted as her public relations agent and aired her farewell address before the New Zealand parliament.
"She resigned in January as New Zealand's groundbreaking prime minister, and tonight inspiring words from Jacinda Ardern in her farewell address," Holt gushed previewing her speech.
Correspondent Molly Hunter took over the pro-Ardern propaganda from there and drooled over her fashion choices: "Jacinda Ardern never thought she'd make it here, wearing a Korowai, a Maori feathered cloak, today she bid farewell to parliament."
Hunter uncritically listed her accomplishments. A perk that NBC would never give to and conservative or right-leaning world leader:
The terror attack in Christ Church humbled her, she said, and she will now work to combat violent extremism. At just 37 years old she was New Zealand's second youngest leader in more than 150 years. She was the second world leader after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto to become a mother in office. Making headlines when she brought her 3-month-old daughter to the U.N. General Assembly. But today was about gratitude, about imploring her colleagues to do more on climate change, and most powerfully about leaving the door firmly open.
NBC then aired a favorable clip from her farewell speech, in which Ardern proclaimed: "You can be anxious, sensitive, kind, and wear your heart on your sleeve. You can be a mother or not. You can be a nerd, a crier, a hugger. You can be all of these things, and not only can you be here, you can lead just like me."
Hunter ended by noting how she was "setting a legacy she hopes will be followed."
Not one critical word was uttered by NBC during what was essentially an informercial for Ardern. NBC loves foreign leftist leaders just as much as domestic ones.
This pro-Ardern propaganda on NBC was made possible by Liberty Mutual. Their information is linked.
The transcript is linked. Click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
4/5/2023
6:57:25 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Finally tonight, she resigned in January as New Zealand's groundbreaking prime minister, and tonight inspiring words from Jacinda Ardern in her farewell address. Here's Molly Hunter.
MOLLY HUNTER: Jacinda Ardern never thought she'd make it here, wearing a Korowai, a Maori feathered cloak, today she bid farewell to parliament.
JACINDA ARDERN: I've always believed this to be a place where you can make a difference. I leave knowing that to be true.
HUNTER: Taking stock of her time in office.
ARDERN: Domestic terror attack, a volcanic eruption, a pandemic.
HUNTER: The terror attack in Christ Church humbled her, she said, and she will now work to combat violent extremism. At just 37 years old she was New Zealand's second youngest leader in more than 150 years. She was the second world leader after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto to become a mother in office. Making headlines when she brought her 3-month-old daughter to the U.N. General Assembly. But today was about gratitude, about imploring her colleagues to do more on climate change, and most powerfully about leaving the door firmly open.
ARDERN: You can be anxious, sensitive, kind, and wear your heart on your sleeve. You can be a mother or not. You can be a nerd, a crier, a hugger. You can be all of these things, and not only can you be here, you can lead just like me.
HUNTER: Setting a legacy she hopes will be followed. Molly Hunter, NBC News.
