The day after Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States, NBC News stoked fears for the next four years by hyping protests from around the world and portrayed Russia as the only country celebrating. “Protests not only taking place here in the United States but around the world as well, from Tokyo to Berlin to Manila, and London as well,” announced co-anchor Craig Melvin Saturday on Today, leading into a ridiculous report by chief global correspondent Bill Neely.
“Certainly the Kremlin isn’t sad to see Mr. Obama go,” he sneered while declaring that Russians were the only ones in the world celebrating his victory, “Beyond Russia though, a world of anxiety even fear about what he means, but in Moscow a party.”
“Russian celebrations for Donald Trump as US president welcomed here as never before,” he proclaimed as he played video from a bar where a man was singing that Trump was “Superman.” After interviewing a few Russians Neely concluded that they are looking forward to better relations with the US, smearing, “Many see him as a gift to Russia.”
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIAN MAN: It will good for both America and Russia.
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIA WOMAN 1: In Russia, know that we respect him.
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIA WOMAN 2: This relationship will be more friendly.
The NBC reporter sat down with Sergie Markov, a former Russian lawmaker, who told him, “It looks like Christmas gift with very beautiful package and we don’t know what is inside.”
Neely warned that Trump’s “America first” policy set forth in his inaugural address “has caused global alarm.” “Chinese state media saying, ‘Prepare for the worst,’” he cautioned as he proceeded to tout a world in revolt:
Protests against Trump in Germany, where leaders are warning of a rough ride ahead. In Australia this morning, tens of thousands of woman marched against Trump. And in the Middle East, divided opinions. Meanwhile, in North Korea, preparations for a new long-range missile test appear to be underway. The global challenges have begun for President Trump.
Closing out his report, Neely quipped that Putin would call Trump soon and noted: “That relationship will be watched, perhaps, more closely than any other.”
Transcript below:
<<< Please support MRC's NewsBusters team with a tax-deductible contribution today. >>>
NBC
Today
January 21, 2017
7:10:43 AM EasternCRAIG MELVIN: Meanwhile, protests not only taking place here in the United States but around the world as well, from Tokyo to Berlin to Manila, and London as well. A protest getting under way there just a few minutes ago. All of these protests come with many folks apprehensive about President Trump and his new administration’s ties to the Russia, with the intelligence community saying the Russians tried to help get him elected. NBC’s chief global correspondent Bill Neely is live in Moscow this morning with world reaction. Bill, good morning to you.
BILL NEELY: Good morning, Craig. President Trump is being welcomed by Russia. Certainly the Kremlin isn’t sad to see Mr. Obama go. Beyond Russia though, a world of anxiety even fear about what he means, but in Moscow a party.
[Cuts to video]
NEELY: Russian celebrations for Donald Trump as US president welcomed here as never before.
RUSSIAN SINGER: He’s Superman!
JOHN ROBERTS: So help me God.
DONALD TRUMP: So help me God.
NEELY: They heard him talk of new alliances and believe Trump will mean better relations.
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIAN MAN: It will good for both America and Russia.
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIA WOMAN 1: In Russia, know that we respect him.
UNIDENTIFIED RUSSIA WOMAN 2: This relationship will be more friendly.
NEELY: The Kremlin said today Putin is ready to meet with Trump, though it may take months. Many see him as a gift to Russia.
SERGEI MARKOV: It looks like Christmas gift with very beautiful package and we don’t know what is inside.
TRUMP: America first!
NEELY: Trump’s inaugural address, though, has caused global alarm. “America first,” the headline policy many worry means a trade war. Chinese state media saying, “Prepare for the worst.” Protests against Trump in Germany, where leaders are warning of a rough ride ahead. In Australia this morning, tens of thousands of woman marched against Trump. And in the Middle East, divided opinions. Meanwhile, in North Korea, preparations for a new long-range missile test appear to be underway. The global challenges have begun for President Trump.
[Cuts back to live]
NEELY: Well today, he’ll start getting calls of congratulations from leaders around the world. President Putin will be calling him in the coming days. Trump is his fourth US president. That relationship will be watched, perhaps, more closely than any other.
