ABC Finally Notices Clinton Foundation Investigation, Dismisses as ‘Unsubstantiated’

November 4th, 2016 3:51 PM

After ignoring the bombshell news that the FBI is conducting an active investigation into the Clinton Foundation, Good Morning America on Friday finally noticed the story. But only for 40 seconds and only to dismiss it as “inaccurate and “unsubstantiated.” CBS This Morning’s Major Garrett followed up by chiding “unconfirmed speculation.” 

On GMA, correspondent Tom Llamas chided, “With just four days to go, Trump in full attack mode against Hillary Clinton, sending his crowds into a frenzy with these unsubstantiated reports ABC News sources say are inaccurate.”     

Later, he added, “Trump is also being accused of spreading more falsehoods, last night saying Clinton committed perjury in her e-mail case, which authorities have never alleged.” 

On CBS This Morning, Major Garrett derided, “Trump also trafficked in unconfirmed speculation about FBI inquiries into potential wrongdoing at the Clinton Foundation.”

On Thursday night, ABC’s World News Tonight skipped the story. The NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News dismissed it. 

Transcripts of the two mentions are below: 

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Good Morning America
11/04/16
7:02 AM  

TOM LLAMAS: With just four days to go, Trump in full attack mode against Hillary Clinton, sending his crowds into a frenzy with these unsubstantiated reports ABC News sources say are inaccurate. 
                    
DONALD TRUMP: The FBI is investigating how Hillary Clinton put the office of Secretary of State up for sale, in violation of federal law. The FBI agents say their investigation is likely to yield an indictment. 

(...)

7:04 AM  

LLAMAS: And Trump is also being accused of spreading more falsehoods, last night saying Clinton committed perjury in her e-mail case, which authorities have never alleged. George and Robin? 

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: The FBI director said he had no reason to believe that.


CBS This Morning
11/4/16
7:05AM ET

MAJOR GARRETT: Trump also trafficked in unconfirmed speculation about FBI inquiries into potential wrongdoing at the Clinton Foundation. 

DONALD TRUMP: It’s likely to yield a very, very serious charge or an indictment. I’m just saying, it’s what the newspapers are saying. That’s what the reports are.