On Thursday, allegedly corrupt New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was indicted on charges of "conspiracy to act as a foreign agent." And if you watched ABC's World News Tonight or NBC Nightly News though, you would never know what party he belonged to since neither bothered to report his party label. Only CBS Evening News did. Of course, this was intentional since he's a Democrat and the left-wing networks want to obscure his party identification.
"New trouble tonight for a Senator already facing serious federal charges. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez now facing new charges tonight. After pleading not guilty to fraud and accepting bribes, federal prosecutors are now accusing Menendez of acting as a foreign agent of Egypt," World News Tonight anchor David Muir reported while failing to note Menendez was a Democrat.
On NBC Nightly News, it was the same story as anchor Lester Holt also omitted party labels. This was something he didn't do for Republicans who get into legal trouble. "A new federal indictment against Senator Bob Menendez related to accusations he improperly provided sensitive government information to Egypt in exchange for cash and gold," Holt reported.
He then asked correspondent Garrett Haake to provide more details. Haake also failed to note Menendez's party affiliation:
A federal grand jury tonight adding to the charges against Senator Menendez, indicting him for accepting bribes from Egypt, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent of that country. Menendez pleaded not guilty last month to related corruption charges. And in a statement tonight, he says he has been loyal to only one country, the United States of America.
Meanwhile, on CBS Evening News, anchor Norah O'Donnell did the right thing and reported his party ID. "Today federal prosecutors filed a new charge against New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent," O'Donnell reported.
"Menendez and his wife have been previously charged with accepting bribes of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in return for his using his influence to benefit three businessmen and the government of Egypt. Menendez, a Democrat has pleaded not guilty and he refuses to resign," she added.
The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
10/12/2023
6:47:34 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: New trouble tonight for a Senator already facing serious federal charges. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez now facing new charges tonight. After pleading not guilty to fraud and accepting bribes, federal prosecutors are now accusing Menendez of acting as a foreign agent of Egypt. The new indictment tonight includes photos of Menendez and his wife dining with Egyptian officials. Prosecutors previously saying federal agents seized cash and gold bars from his home. Menendez denies any wrongdoing.
CBS Evening News
10/12/2023
6:50:48 p.m. EasternNORAH O’DONNELL: Today federal prosecutors filed a new charge against New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. Menendez and his wife have been previously charged with accepting bribes of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in return for his using his influence to benefit three businessmen and the government of Egypt. Menendez, a Democrat has pleaded not guilty and he refuses to resign.
NBC Nightly News
10/12/2023
6:48:45 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: A new federal indictment against Senator Bob Menendez related to accusations he improperly provided sensitive government information to Egypt in exchange for cash and gold. Garrett Haake is following this for us. Garrett, what more do we know?
GARRETT HAAKE: Lester, a federal grand jury tonight adding to the charges against Senator Menendez, indicting him for accepting bribes from Egypt, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent of that country. Menendez pleaded not guilty last month to related corruption charges. And in a statement tonight, he says he has been loyal to only one country, the United States of America. Lester?
