Imagine if Donald Trump had done this: An unhinged New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday night threatened physical harm upon the President if he visits New York City again. The rant by the Democrat came in the wake of the President calling for cutting off funds to Democrat-run cities that aren’t standing up to riots and violence. Here’s Cuomo's threat: “[Trump] better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the street in New York. He can't have enough bodyguards to walk through New York City.”
How did the networks react to this? CBS This Morning on Friday CENSORED the mention of violence against the President. ABC and NBC briefly noted it, but downplayed or disingenuously described what happened. On NBC’s Today, reporter Garrett Haake spun, “New York Governor Cuomo called it an illegal stunt and said the President is no longer welcome in Big Apple.”
He then played a clip of Cuomo attacking, “[Trump] better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the streets in New York.” That’s a little different than saying someone “isn’t welcome.”
Over on ABC’s Good Morning America, Tom Llamas portrayed the President as the one making an “extraordinary attack.”
TOM LLAMAS: Extraordinary attack. President Trump threatening to cut off federal funding to Democrat-led cities including New York and Portland after months of protests. Governor Cuomo firing back at the President.
ANDREW CUOMO: He better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the street in New York.
Reporter Mary Bruce sided with the Democrats: “Leaders of these cities say this is a new low. They are calling it a blatant political ploy intended to go after his Democratic rivals and distract from the devastating pandemic.”
Finally, she got to Cuomo’s threat, but offered no objection:
MARY BRUCE: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outraged, calling it a political stunt.
CUOMO: He better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the street in New York. He can't have enough bodyguards to walk through New York City.
Still, at least ABC and NBC PLAYED the shocking remarks. CBS This Morning couldn’t even manage that. The show mentioned the move by the Trump to block funds, but not Cuomo’s outrageous attack. Again, imagine if Trump or a Republican Governor had said this?
Actually, we don’t have to imagine. In 1994, then-Senator Jesse Helms made an ill-advised joke about Bill Clinton. The media erupted:
The media's gaffe patrol has saddled up to ride again, branding conservatives as "outrageous" and "reckless" while ignoring similar statements by liberals. This month's target was Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.). Since the election, he's been tagged as "archconservative" in U.S. News and Newsweek, while Time preferred the more cuddly "ultraconservative." A recent Washington Post profile of new committee chairmen called him "the avenging angel of extreme conservatism." But nothing could prepare Helms for the thrashing he took from reporters after he said Bill Clinton wasn't up to the job of Commander in Chief and joked Clinton may need a bodyguard when visiting military bases.
On November 23, NBC Today co-host Bryant Gumbel editorialized: "Helms is slated to be the new chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a prospect that is embarrassing to many Republicans. His two most recent outbursts against the President are just the latest in a long line of outrageous remarks that have earned Helms the disrespect and disgust of people from coast to coast."
The hacks at CBS who covered for Cuomo were sponsored by Toyota. The hypocrites at NBC were sponsored by Capital One. ABC was backed by Progressive. Click on the links to let them know how you feel.
Partial transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
Good Morning America
9/3/2020
7AM tease
TOM LLAMAS: Extraordinary attack. President trump threatening to cut off federal funding to Democrat-led cities including New York and Portland after months of protests. Governor Cuomo firing back at the President.
ANDREW CUOMO: He better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the street in New York.
…
MARY BRUCE: Tom, leaders of these cities say this is a new low. They are calling it a blatant political ploy intended to go after his Democratic rivals and distract from the devastating pandemic. The stunning move this morning is now expected to face stiff legal opposition. It’s an extraordinary political move certain to be challenged in court. Overnight President Trump ordering officials to find ways to cut federal funding to Democrat controlled cities. Claiming local leaders have allowed places like New York City, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Portland to descend into, quote, anarchy during protests for racial justice. Trump tweeting, “My administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless sis from taking federal dollars while they let them ruin lives and businesses. We're putting them on notice today.” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outraged, calling it a political stunt.
CUOMO: He better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the street in New York. He can't have enough bodyguards to walk through New York City.
Today
9/3/2020
GARRETT HAAKE: New York Governor Cuomo called it an illegal stunt and said the President is no longer welcome in Big Apple
ANDREW CUOMO: Forget bodyguards, he better have an army if he thinks he's going to walk down the streets in New York.
