One could almost hear the excitement in anchor Lester Holt’s voice during Thursday’s NBC Nightly News when he announced the possibility of a second so-called whistleblower. “Meantime, there's a new report tonight out about a second government whistleblower, this time at the IRS,” he touted before going to chief White House correspondent Hallie Jackson, who eventually admitted the network hadn’t confirmed anything.
“Lester, this new whistleblower complaint is from an IRS official who says he was told that a Treasury Department appointee reportedly tried to interfere with the annual audit of the President or Vice President's tax returns. This is according to The Washington Post, citing multiple people familiar with the matter,” she enthusiastically reported.
So, according to Jackson, the whistleblower was “told” this happened, which meant it was second-hand information, and they couldn’t be certain if the alleged interference had to do with President Trump or Vice President Mike Pence. Sounds legit.
Remember, this came after the Intelligence Community Inspector General admitted to secretly editing their whistleblower guidelines to allow for second-hand and hearsay information.
“NBC News has not independently confirmed that,” Jackson admitted, “but the Post says the complaint is now circulating on Capitol Hill, alarming some congressional Democrats.” Because, of course, it’s alarming the people trying to remove Trump from office. And, if it was being circulated around Capitol Hill, why wasn’t NBC about to confirm it when Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff leaks like a sieve?
“The Post says Trump administration officials are dismissing the complaint as hearsay and politically motivated,” she added.
As if it was evidence of that the report was accurate, Jackson wanted to remind viewers of “the backdrop to all of this, House Democrats have been in a fight with the Treasury Department over the release of President Trump's tax returns, which so far he has refused to share publicly.”
This came at the same time that NBC Nightly News ignored a CNN report that the first whistleblower, which help to kick off the impeachment inquiry, was a registered Democrat.
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The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
October 3, 2019
7:04:56 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Meantime, there's a new report tonight out about a second government whistleblower, this time at the IRS. Hallie Jackson joins us now with late details. Hallie, what can you tell us about this one?
HALLIE JACKSON: Lester, this new whistleblower complaint is from an IRS official who says he was told that a Treasury Department appointee reportedly tried to interfere with the annual audit of the President or Vice President's tax returns. This is according to The Washington Post, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.
NBC News has not independently confirmed that, but the Post says the complaint is now circulating on Capitol Hill, alarming some congressional Democrats. The Post says Trump administration officials are dismissing the complaint as hearsay and politically motivated.
Remember the backdrop to all of this, House Democrats have been in a fight with the Treasury Department over the release of President Trump's tax returns, which so far he has refused to share publicly. Lester.
HOLT: Hallie, thank you.
