A week ago, CBS and NBC were enthralled by footage of Washington Nationals fans booing President Trump and chanting “lock him up” at game five of the World Series. But when Nationals players visited the White House on Monday, they praised the President for making the country great with one sporting his “Make America Great Again” hat. Those same networks ignored the event while hyping the release of transcripts from the Democratic-led impeachment investigation.
In addition to being obsessed with impeachment, the CBS Evening News also ran a report touting a legal defeat for the President. A federal appeals court ruled that his tax returns could not remain secret and should be turned over to prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. On NBC Nightly News, went gaga for astronauts now being able to bake cookies on the International Space Station.
In contrast, Fox News Channel’s Special Report closed out with anchor Bret Baier highlighting the White House event. They shared video of Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki dawning his MAGA hat and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman presenting Trump with a jersey and praising him:
TRUMP: Come on.
[Kurt Suzuki puts on MAGA hat]
[APPLAUSE]
TRUMP: I love him!
(....)
RYAN ZIMMERMAN: We would also like to thank you for keeping everyone here safe in our country. [SCREEN WIPE] And continuing to make America the greatest country to live in the world.
(....)
CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!
TRUMP: I’m going to consider that four more World Series wins, okay?
“President Trump feeling the love as some members of the Washington Nationals showing support, getting that 45 jersey from Ryan Zimmerman this afternoon,” Baier reported. “President Trump praised the team's first title in franchise history, calling it a comeback story for the ages, predicting it will be the first of many victories.”
Baier also recalled this fun fact about D.C. sports teams: “This has been the third Washington, D.C., team that has won a championship since President Trump took office. The Nats, the Caps and the Mystics with WNBA.”
During CBS This Morning last Monday, co-anchor Tony Dokoupil quipped about the jeers being sent Trump’s way. “Fans booed Mr. Trump, as you can hear, and some chanted ‘lock him up’ when he was announced on the public address system and shown on the big screen,” he said.
On NBC Nightly News a few hours later, White House correspondent Peter Alexander took a diversion from taking about impeachment to brag about “the President overnight getting an ear full from a sellout” crowd, “Some chanting ‘lock him up.’”
Clearly, they have a preference for the type of attention towards President Trump that warrants their airtime.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
November 4, 2019
6:59:07 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: Finally, tonight the World Series celebrations continues today at the White House.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Come on.
[Kurt Suzuki puts on MAGA hat] [Applause]
TRUMP: I love him!
RYAN ZIMMERMAN: We would also like to thank you for keeping everyone here safe in our country. [Transition] And continuing to make America the greatest country to live in the world.
CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!
TRUMP: I’m going to consider that four more World Series wins, okay?
BAIER: President Trump feeling the love as some members of the Washington Nationals showing support, getting that 45 jersey from Ryan Zimmerman this afternoon. President Trump praised the team's first title in franchise history, calling it a comeback story for the ages, predicting it will be the first of many victories. This has been the third Washington, D.C., team that has won a championship since President Trump took office. The Nats, the Caps and the Mystics with WNBA. So, there you go.
Thanks for inviting us into your home tonight.
