Telemundo ́s coverage of the Senate Impeachment Trial included both a new twist and a possible return to old, bad ways: singling out Republicans who call out liberal protesters for criticism, and portraying four, neatly arranged protesters as “dozens of protesters.”
Watch correspondent Javier Vega’s inflammatory claim regarding the “tense moments the dozens of protesters” stationed around the Capitol endured after being “confronted” by Republicans:
Yes, Julio, I hear you loud and clear. And look, we're here on day two of the impeachment against President Trump, and as happened yesterday, there are dozens of protesters who have gathered here, and around the entire Congress, to call for the removal of the President. They are yelling into the loud-speaker that they're going to stay here day after day, shift after shift, until there's a verdict. And while there is no formal protest in favor of the President, there have also been tense moments during the last moments and minutes. Why? Because some passers-by or visitors to the capitol who are Republicans have confronted them and told them that the President did nothing wrong and that this trial is actually a hoax.
It is worth noting that Vega’s “dozens”, which amounted to a grand total of four, were holding a refusefasicm.com banner. Additionally, they brandished posters (conveniently) printed in Spanish that read “Trump-Pence Fuera Ya” (Trump-Pence Out Now). When viewed in its totality, the four neatly arrayed protesters holding a banner and Spanish-language signs look far from organic. Unfortunately, Telemundo’s prior history can only serve to bolster suspicions that the array was staged for visual effect.
In Vega’s own words: “There is no formal protest in favor of the President.” You heard: NO pro-Trump protesters yelling their heads off. Yet, the mere mentions by passers-by and other individuals, that “the President did nothing wrong and that this trial is actually a hoax” sufficed to create “tension.”
However, Vega’s report makes it clear that the “tense moments” were the creation of the defiant liberals who were “yelling into the loud-speaker that they're going to stay here day after day, shift after shift, until there's a verdict”. Somehow, Vega found a way to blame Republicans who exercised their right to free speech.
Upon close scrutiny, the whole story appears to be manufactured- like so much else going on around this impeachment.
Click "expand" to read the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on Telemundo's Senate Impeachment Trial coverage, on Wednesday, January 22, 2020:
Telemundo's Senate trial coverage
January 22, 2020JAVIER VEGA: Yes, Julio, I hear you loud and clear. And look we're here on day two of the impeachment against President Trump, and as happened yesterday, there are dozens of protesters who have gathered here, and around the entire Congress, to call for the removal of the President. They are yelling into the loud-speaker that they're going to stay here day after day, shift after shift, until there's a verdict. And while there is no formal protest in favor of the President, there have also been tense moments during the last moments and minutes. Why? Because some passers-by or visitors to the capitol who are Republicans have confronted them and told them that the President did nothing wrong and that this trial is actually a hoax.
Security has now also been strengthened throughout this area by the capitol police to prevent, as happened yesterday, protesters from approaching the capitol steps. Also a security cordon has been installed where everyone must show an ID. Inside, Julio, I can tell you that the weariness among some senators is palpable as we now find ourselves in the number one day after very long day and session. Also frustration, because the Democratic leadership said that some of the votes could have been postponed for today. But there are still expectations about this procedure, because while the amendments to call officials from the White House were turned down, a version is still running that there may be cross-party negotiations concerning witnesses. Julio, reporting from Washington.
