All three networks on Friday hyped the “bombshell,” “infamous” James Comey memos released overnight. ABC, CBS and NBC devoted 12 minutes and 12 seconds to the documents with each network claiming they “obtained” them (rather than the documents simply being given to them). In contrast, the same outlets skimped on coverage of the Justice Department recommending charges against the fired-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe.
On Good Morning America, co-host George Stephanopoulos breathlessly opened the program: “James Comey's bombshell memos revealed. What they say about his encounters with President Trump, his accounts of the President's conversation with Vladimir Putin about prostitutes.”
Co-host Robin Roberts upped the “bombshell” word choice with another over-the-top description: “But first we’re going to begin with those infamous James Comey memos based on his notes from encounters with President Trump, released to Congress and obtained by ABC News overnight.”
In total, GMA devoted four minutes and six seconds to Comey’s memo. The show allowed 49 seconds to McCabe.
CBS This Morning offered 3 minutes and 33 seconds to the Comey memos. Co-host Norah O’Donnell, just like her ABC counterpart, pretended that the network “obtained” the memo:
CBS News obtained James Comey's confidential memos about his meeting with President Trump. They detail how the President asks his then-FBI Director about the Russia investigation and how to, quote, lift that cloud.
CBS This Morning managed 3 minutes and 33 seconds on the Comey memo, but completely SKIPPED the recommendation of criminal charges against McCabe.
On the Today show, Peter Alexander explained how NBC, too, “obtained” the Comey memos: “All of these detailed documents given to Congress by the Justice Department. Obtained overnight by NBC News.”
Today allowed just 9 seconds on McCabe, but 4 minutes and 33 seconds on the Comey memos.
The networks on Friday also showed little in the way of skepticism about Comey’s claims in the memos, despite the fact that he’s been caught contradicting past statements in other situations.
Partial transcripts are below. Click "expand" for more.
GMA
4/20/187am tease
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Breaking news, James Comey's bombshell memos revealed. What they say about his encounters with President Trump, his accounts of the President's conversation with Vladimir Putin about prostitutes.
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ROBIN ROBERTS: But first we’re going to begin with those infamous James Comey memos based on his notes from encounters with President Trump, released to Congress and obtained by ABC News overnight. They reveal comments President Trump allegedly made about Vladimir Putin and fired national security adviser Michael Flynn. Our chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas is tracking all of this for us there in D.C. Good morning, Pierre.
PIERRE THOMAS: Robin, good morning. That's right. Those controversial Comey memos now in the hands of Congress and president trump is weighing in. Overnight, ABC news obtaining the memos former FBI Director James Comey wrote after those controversial encounters with the President. The memos turned over by the Justice Department to congressional investigators last
night largely match Comey's congressional testimony and what he said in an exclusive interview with ABC News. After his first encounter with President-Elect trump on January 7th of last year he wrote the President seemed preoccupied with salacious accusations from unverified intelligence. The subject, prostitutes. “There were no prostitute, there were never prostitutes,” Comey recalled Trump saying.CBS This Morning
NORAH O’DONNELL: CBS News obtained James Comey's confidential memos about his meeting with President Trump. They detail how the President asks his then-FBI Director about the Russia investigation and how to, quote, lift that cloud.
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JOHN DICKERSON: Former FBI Director James Comey's confidential memos about President Trump are now public. They show the full extent of the President's concern about the Russia investigation, loyalty, leaks to reporters, and an unproven dossier exploring Mr. Trump's alleged ties to Russia.
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JEFF PEGUES: In all there are seven memos and, yes, some are classified and they've been partially redacted. Comey says that he wrote those memos after conversations with President Trump between January and April of 2017.
4/20/187am tease
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Breaking overnight, the Comey memos. Congress gets 15 pages of detailed notes from the fired FBI director and promptly leaks them. This morning, the new revelations about Comey's one-on-ones with the president.
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PETER ALEXANDER: Savannah, good morning to you. 15 pages of memos covering everything from leakers to hookers. Just some of the new revelations from former FBI Director James Comey. All of these detailed documents given to Congress by the Justice Department. Obtained overnight by NBC News.
