Nightline co-anchor Juju Chang on Monday night slimed the President, smearing him as giving “safe harbor” to “domestic terrorists” in Michigan. Chang interviewed Michigan’s Democratic Governor and Attorney General, offering minimal push back when they painted Trump as a terrorist-loving, woman hating lunatic.
The ABC journalist produced a story mostly about the thugs who reportedly planned to kidnap and harm the governor. But, of course, Chang chose to blame the President: “Do you think President Trump gives safe harbor to some of these elements of domestic terrorism?”
Of course, Chang had no reply or objection when Whitmer trotted out the trope about Trump not condemning white supremacists: “I think the hesitancy to even call out white supremacy creates space for groups that are looking for anything to hang their hat on.” (He has called them out. Many times.)
Chang also talked to the state’s Democratic Attorney General. Dana Nessel shifted from Trump condoning terrorism to promoting sexism:
DANA NESSEL: (Attorney General, Michigan): We are one of the few states in the United States, where all of our state, the top executive offices are held by women. The President of the United States has taken time to criticize all three of us by name on Twitter.
CHANG: What does it say to you?
NESSEL: Do I think it's misogynistic? Yeah. Absolutely I do.
Chang only mildly wondered, “Do you think she [the governor] might have over reached on the lock down measures?” The journalist seemed irritated that Trump was even campaigning in Michigan: “As the plot against governor Whitmer made national headlines the President continued his attacks over the weekend, while visiting her home state.”
What she did not provide, however, were examples of Trump condoning or supporting domestic terrorism. No wonder Nightline is now relegated to airing deep into late night, not starting until 12:37 AM ET.
It was just last week that CBS This Morning featured Nessel to trash Trump as a terrorist co-conspirator.
The smear on ABC’s Nightline was sponsored by Febreze and Hyundai. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
A partial transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Nightline
10/20/2020 (east coast time)12:45 AM ET
JUJU CHANG: Do you think President Trump gives safe harbor to some of these elements of domestic terrorism?
GRETCHEN WHITMER: I think the hesitancy to even call out white supremacy creates space for groups that are looking for anything to hang their hat on.
DANA NESSEL: (Attorney General, Michigan): We are one of the few states in the United States, where all of our state, the top executive offices are held by women. The President of the Snited States has taken time to criticize all three of us by name on Twitter.
CHANG: What does it say to you?
NESSEL: Do I think it's misogynistic? Yeah. Absolutely I do.
CHANG: Do you think she might have over reached on the lock down measures?
...
MICHAEL LACKOMAR: There's hate and anger and resentment. There's people losing businesses and livelihood.
CHANG: Michael Lackomar and his wife are members of one of the oldest modern militia in Michigan. They reject the violence associated with militia culture, but defend the independent streak in their communities.
...
CHANG: As the plot against governor Whitmer made national headlines the President continued his attacks over the weekend, while visiting her home state.
DONALD TRUMP: And then I guess they said she was threatened. Right? She was threatened. And she blamed me.
