The same networks that credulously pushed the idea that uniter Joe Biden would “embrace” and heal America now have no problem when the Democratic President trashes red states like Texas and Mississippi as “Neanderthals.” On Wednesday and Thursday, ABC, CBS and NBC offered zero criticism for the nasty attack Biden leveled at states scaling back mask requirements. In fact, these networks trumpeted the insult.
CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell opened the show by touting Biden’s “blast.” “Neanderthal thinking: The President blasts states like Texas for lifting Covid restrictions and ending mask mandates.” Before playing the clip, Evening News reporter Janet Shamlian promoted, “Blowback from the Texas governor reopening the state was fast and furious.”
Here’s the actual insult from Biden: “The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine. Take off your mask. Forget it.’” As though it were presidential to mock your fellow citizens, NBC Nightly News reporter Peter Alexander deemed it a “rebuke.”
Right after Texas and Mississippi ended their mask mandates and Covid restrictions on businesses, despite CDC warnings it’s premature, the President delivered this rebuke.
On Thursday’s Today show, Hoda Kotb opened the show by headlining the quote: “This as President Biden blasts the governors of Texas and Mississippi for lifting restrictions at such a crucial time.” Today reporter Tom Costello hyped the “strong push back” from the President.
Just imagine if President Trump lashed out at “Neanderthals” in California or Massachusetts? On ABC’s Good Morning America, reporter Whit Johnson touted the critique as “calling out” reckless states: “This morning, President Biden calling out states like Texas and Mississippi for dropping mask mandates and lifting most restrictions.”
CBS This Morning’s co-host Anthony mason offered no questioning of Biden’s “harsh criticism”:
The governors of Texas and Mississippi face harsh criticism and some praise for ending their statewide mask requirements. President Biden said yesterday the governors are making a big mistake.
Back on inauguration day, journalists hailed the “poetic” Biden as a uniter. His nasty attack on red states shows that’s not true. But the networks don’t care.
The hypocritical Biden spin on the CBS Evening News as sponsored by Ford, on NBC’s Today it was promoted by Value City Furniture. Subaru sanctioned the comments on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
3/4/2021
ANTHONY MASON: The governors of Texas and Mississippi face harsh criticism and some praise for ending their statewide mask requirements. President Biden said yesterday the governors are making a big mistake.
JOE BIDEN: The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine, take off your mask, forget it.’ It still matters.
Today
3/4/20217 AM tease
HODA KOTB: This as President Biden blasts the governors of Texas and Mississippi for lifting restrictions at such a crucial time. The battle playing out across the nation over how and when to reopen.
JOE BIDEN: The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine, take off your mask.
...
7:07
TOM COSTELLO: This morning, strong push back to Mississippi and Texas defying the CDC and lifting Covid restrictions.
GREG ABBOTT: It is now time to open Texas 100 percent.
COSTELLO: From president Biden.
BIDEN: The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine.’
Good Morning America
3/4/2021
7 AM teaseROBIN ROBERTS: Rush to reopen?
JOE BIDEN: I think it’s a big mistake.
ROBERTS: President Biden critical of states like Texas and Mississippi for dropping their mask mandates.
...
WHIT JOHNSON: This morning, President Biden calling out states like Texas and Mississippi for dropping mask mandates and lifting most restrictions.
BIDEN: I think it’s a big mistake. The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine. Take off your mask. Forget it.’
NBC Nightly News
3/3/2021PETER ALEXANDER: Right after Texas and Mississippi ended their mask mandates and Covid restrictions, despite CDC warnings it’s premature, the President delivered this rebuke.
JOE BIDEN: I think it’s a mistake. Look, I hope everyone has realized by now, these masks make a difference. The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine. Take off your mask. Forget it.’
CBS Evening News
3/3/20216:30 PM ET tease
NORAH O’DONNELL: Neanderthal thinking: The President blasts states like Texas for lifting Covid restrictions and ending mask mandates. What business owners are saying tonight.
6:35 PM ET
JANET SHAMLIAN: Blowback from the Texas governor reopening the state was fast and furious. From the president —
JOE BIDEN: The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking.
World News Tonight
3/4/2021DAVID MUIR: The president calling it, quote, a big mistake and neanderthal thanking.
6:40
MARCUS MOORE: President Biden tonight reacting to news that Texas and Mississippi are lifting all restrictions and mask mandates.
JOE BIDEN: I think it’s a mistake. The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime ‘everything's fine. Take off your mask. Forget it.’
