On Monday, Congressional Republicans released unused video from a January 6 documentary by Alexandra Pelosi which showed her mother, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) admitting that the lack of security was her “responsibility.” But after ignoring the video that night, the Tuesday morning newscasts of ABC and NBC pounced on unauthenticated (a status they admitted to) audio of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito being pestered by a progressive activist masquerading as a conservative and secretly recording him.
In the newly released video of then-Speaker Pelosi, the Democrat exclaimed: “Why weren’t the National Guard there to begin with?!” An unidentified female voice suggested they thought they had “sufficient” security before Pelosi snapped, saying: “No, that is not a question of how they had – They don’t know! They clearly didn’t know! And I take responsibility for not having them just prepare for more.”
But the liberal broadcast networks were given an out by progressive activist Lauren Windsor, who conveniently just released highly edited audio she secretly recorded at the Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual gala last week. Audio she recorded while deceptively claiming to be a conservative Catholic. It was another excuse for the liberal media to continue their campaign to rip at the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ultimately, what she released was nothing of consequence, but that didn’t stop NBC’s Today from framing it as “More controversy this morning surrounding Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife,” as described by senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson. “Those recordings, getting a lot of attention this morning, capturing the outlook of Justice Alito who’s devoutly Catholic along with his wife and the chief justice,” she gawked.
But what did Alito say that was supposedly so controversial? Well, one side wins in political battles, and getting along is difficult:
JACKSON: Alito asked by Windsor about a nation divided between left and right, saying --
ALITO: One side or the other is going to win. There can be a way of working, a way of living together peacefully, but it's difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can't be compromised.
Congratulations liberal media! You caught Alito describing politics in a democracy. Truly groundbreaking.
Jackson did note that “NBC News has not heard the full recordings, only what's been posted online, and not able to confirm what edits have been made,” but that didn’t stop her from using them.
Over on ABC’s Good Morning America, chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas announced, “we’re not airing [the audio clips] here” because “ABC News has not authenticated the audio.” Instead, he decided to cherry-pick quotes to read with little context (not that there was much context provided by the progressive activist to begin with):
In one exchange, Windsor poses a leading question to Alito suggesting there can be no compromise between the left and right. Alito appearing to agree saying, there are fundamental differences that are, quote, “difficult to resolve.” Windsor kept pushing Alito saying, quote, “people I this county who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that, to return our country to a place of godliness.” Alito responds, saying, “I agree with you. I agree with you.”
“This morning there are serious questions about Windsor's tactics of lying and misleading the justices,” Thomas concluded.
Meanwhile, Jackson reported: “The Historical Society, which hosted the event where the recordings were made, says in a statement they ‘condemn the surreptitious recording of justices’ there, which they say is ‘inconsistent with the spirit of the evening.’”
CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings didn't report on either the Pelosi video or the Alito audio.
The transcripts are below. Click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
June 11, 2024
7:06:46 a.m. EasternGEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We’re going to turn now the Supreme Court in the spotlight again this morning after secret records of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito were released. Our chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas has the story. Good morning, Pierre.
PIERRE THOMAS: George, good morning. Today, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts are in the spotlight after a woman posing a conservative Christian allegedly secretly recorded them at a black tie event last week.
Lauren Windsor seeking out the justices at the Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual gala in an apparent attempt to engage them in a culture wars debate. At one point the liberal filmmaker starts a conversation with Justice Alito, a well-known, staunch conservative on the court.
Windsor has posted what appears to be edited audio on X. ABC News has not authenticated the audio and we’re not airing it here.
In one exchange, Windsor poses a leading question to Alito suggesting there can be no compromise between the left and right. Alito appearing to agree saying, there are fundamental differences that are, quote, “difficult to resolve.” Windsor kept pushing Alito saying, quote, “people I this county who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that, to return our country to a place of godliness.” Alito responds, saying, “I agree with you. I agree with you.”
George.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Very different responses from Chief Justice Roberts?
THOMAS: That’s right, George. Windsor also approaches Roberts, a moderate conservative, suggesting to him that America is a Christian nation. Roberts pushes back, quote, “Yeah, I don't know that we live in a Christian nation. I know a lot of Jewish and Muslim friends who would say maybe not. And it's not our job to do that. It's our job to decide the cases as best we can.”
This morning there are serious questions about Windsor's tactics of lying and misleading the justices. We sought comment from Windsor and justices but have not heard back. George.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay. Pierre Thomas. Thanks very much.
NBC’s Today
June 11, 2024
7:07:59 a.m. EasternHODA KOTB: Let's turn to those audiotapes being made public of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, along with Alito's wife. They were secretly recorded by a progressive activist at a recent event. NBC’s senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson is on that story. Hey Hallie, good morning.
HALLIE JACKSON: Hey Hoda, good morning. Those recordings, getting a lot of attention this morning, capturing the outlook of justice Alito who’s devoutly Catholic along with his wife and the chief justice.
Now, we should note that NBC News has not heard the full recordings, only what's been posted online, and not able to confirm what edits have been made. But this is the latest spotlight on the court as it barrels toward the end of a consequential term.
[Cuts to video]
More controversy this morning surrounding Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife after they were secretly recorded at a gala dinner last week. Alito approached by Lauren Windsor a progressive activist known for recording conservative political figures while posing as an ally. Alito asked by Windsor about nation divided between left and right, saying --
JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO: One side or the other is going to win. There can be a way of working, a way of living together peacefully, but it's difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can't be compromised.
JACKSON: After Windsor said the country needs to return to a place of godliness, Alito responding, “I agree.”
The conversation recorded during the Supreme Court Historical Society's annual dinner June 3rd.
Alito, who’s on the conservative-wing of the court, has recently been embroiled in controversy after pictures emerged of flags associated with, among other things, election denial and January 6th rioters flying outside his house. Alito had responded that his wife, Martha-Ann raised the flags. She was also recorded by Windsor who told her she was being persecuted. Mrs. Alito responding.
MARTHA-ANN ALITO: I'm German from Germany. My heritage is German. You come after me, I’m going to give it back to you.
JACKSON: And discussing other flags she wanted to fly at their house.
M.A. ALITO: You know what I want? I want a sacred heart of Jesus flag because I have to look across the lagoon at the pride flag for the next month.
JACKSON: Windsor approached Chief Justice John Roberts who responded more cautiously to her questioning asked about whether the court should lead the country on a more moral path --
CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS: No, I think the role for the court is deciding the cases.
JACKSON: The Chief Justice also pushing back on Windsor's assertion that the U.S. is a Christian nation and the court's role is to guide it on that path.
ROBERTS: I don't know that we live in a Christian nation. I know a lot of Jewish and Muslim friends who would say maybe not, and it's not our job to do that.
[Cuts back to live]
JACKSON: The court has not responded to a request for comment, but the Historical Society, which hosted the event where the recordings were made, says in a statement they “condemn the surreptitious recording of justices” there, which they say is “inconsistent with the spirit of the evening.” Hoda.
KOTB: All right, Hallie Jackson for us there in D.C. Hallie, thank you.
