One of the big announcements to come out of President Trump’s visit to India, so-far this week, was a $3 billion deal to supply the country with new military helicopters. But the viewers of ABC’s World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News on Monday were misled to believe the visit as just the President was just on a sightseeing trip by ignoring the deal and other trade negotiations. Combined, the two networks didn’t even spend 30 seconds on Trump’s official trip abroad.
“President Trump is in India tonight, greeted with enormous crowds on his first official visit there. A crowd of more than 100,000 people cheering for him at the world's largest cricket stadium. Introduced by the prime minister there. Afterward, the President and First Lady taking a tour of the Taj Mahal,” announced ABC anchor David Muir in a news brief lasting 15 seconds
In his own news brief delivered in a blistering 13 seconds, NBC anchor Lester Holt told viewers that “President Trump is in India tonight where he was greeted by massive crowds. More than 100,000 people turned out to see the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, the President and First Lady visiting the iconic Taj Mahal.”
Ignoring the trade efforts but noting the crowd seemed like a cheeky way for them to avoid being negative about the trip while covering something the President cared about.
CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell did note helicopter agreement. “Earlier, the President appeared with India’s prime minister and addressed a crowd of more than 100,000 at what was called a Namaste Trump rally. While there the President announced a $3 billion deal to sell India military helicopters.” In her 24-second-long news brief, O’Donnell did quip about how Trump once owned the Taj Mahal casino.
In sharp contrast, Fox News Channel’s Special Report spent three minutes and 37 seconds on Trump’s travel, with a minute and 18 seconds of that were dedicated to reporting on the trade negotiations.
As reported by chief White House correspondent John Roberts, “President Trump is hoping to convince Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dial back protectionist policies that are hurting U.S. exports. As he has done with other nations, rewrite the trade relationship.”
Roberts also explained that the trade negotiation sought to, at least, ease tariffs on U.S. made motorcycles and break Russia’s military trade deals with India:
While no major trade deal is expected to be announced during his visit, President Trump is hoping Modi will at least reduce tariffs on American made Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The President also wants the U.S. to supplant Russia as the major arms supplier to India, announcing today that India will buy some $3 billion worth of military helicopters. The goal? To forge a military partnership that will serve as an effective counterweight to China.
It’s interesting how the networks didn’t want to mention how Trump was subverting Russia’s military trade.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
February 24, 2020
6:46:17 p.m. Eastern [15 seconds]DAVID MUIR: President Trump is in India tonight, greeted with enormous crowds on his first official visit there. A crowd of more than 100,000 people cheering for him at the world's largest cricket stadium. Introduced by the prime minister there. Afterward, the President and First Lady taking a tour of the Taj Mahal.
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CBS Evening News
February 24, 2020
6:40:24 p.m. Eastern [24 seconds]NORAH O’DONNELL: President Trump once named a casino after the Taj Mahal. Well, today the President and the First Lady had a chance to visit the real one while on a trip no India. Earlier, the President appeared with India’s prime minister and addressed a crowd of more than 100,000 at what was called a Namaste Trump rally. While there the President announced a $3 billion deal to sell India military helicopters.
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NBC Nightly News
February 24, 2020
7:13:53 p.m. Eastern [13 seconds]LESTER HOLT: President Trump is in India tonight where he was greeted by massive crowds. More than 100,000 people turned out to see the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, the President and First Lady visiting the iconic Taj Mahal.
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Fox News Channel’s Special Report
February 24, 2020
6:09:08 p.m. Eastern [1 minute 18 seconds](…)
JOHN ROBERTS: But the pomp and ceremony, difficult issues lie ahead when the two leaders sit down to talk business. President Trump is hoping to convince Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dial back protectionist policies that are hurting U.S. exports. As he has done with other nations, rewrite the trade relationship.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: And I am optimistic that working together, the Prime Minister and I can reach a fantastic deal that is good and even great for both of our countries.
ROBERTS: While no major trade deal is expected to be announced during his visit, President Trump is hoping Modi will at least reduce tariffs on American made Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The President also wants the U.S. to supplant Russia as the major arms supplier to India, announcing today that India will buy some $3 billion worth of military helicopters. The goal? To forge a military partnership that will serve as an effective counterweight to China.
TRUMP: I believe that the United States should be India's premier defense partner, that is the way it is working out. Together, we will defend our sovereignty, security, and protect a free and open Indo-pacific region for our children and for many generations to come.
(…)
