CBS News Head Bari White has brought her freaking hypocrisy out in the open for all to see. Last month Weiss infamously spiked a meticulously researched and reviewed story on the notorious CECOT which was Trump’s favorite place to send deportees to. Yet earlier this week based on tweet from X she had CBS “Break” a story that ICE Agent Jonathan Ross who shot and killed Renee Good had been “treated” for “internal injuries.” The first story made Trump, a big pal of Weiss’ boss and benefactor David Ellison look bad. The second tossed a narrative out there RWNJ could pick up on to buttress bullsh*t claims Team Trump has been making to justify Good’s death.
This is one hot mess that might turn out to have some significant repercussions. It takes less than a minute to read but here’s a link to CBS News’ article. I say it’s a clear attempt at misdirection because of what’s NOT included. If you look carefully at comments from Team Trump they are literally old news. No comment about this claim on social media that Ross had been treated for internal injuries. As this article from Mediaite explains one staffer said it “Felt to many here like we were carrying water for the admin’s justifying of the shooting to keep our access to our sources.” As Mediaite reports leaked emails reveal a ‘huge internal concern’ over whether the network should platform the claims of post on X with such thin sourcing:
The exclusive report, which was first published on X and then expanded into an article, claimed that the agent, Jonathan Ross, “suffered internal bleeding to the torso.” The claim, attributed to “two U.S. officials”, however, raised immediate skepticism in the newsroom, according to Guardian reporter Jeremy Barr.
According to internal emails seen by Barr, editorial doubts were raised before publication with some journalists questioning not only the thinness of the sourcing but the political implications of amplifying the unverified medical claim, given the incendiary nature of the incident.
You can read the linked article from Mediaite to see other comments from staff but one thing in the article really jumped out at me:
Those staffers reportedly told the newspaper that the network editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, showed strong interest in the story during an editorial call.
Let’s compare the CECOT story to this and you’ll see why I’m so pissed off at Weiss. If memory serves FIVE MONTHS of work went into the 60 Minutes segment on CECOT. It had been through reviews along the way and when completed subjected to two additional reviews by legal and standards and practices. CBS had spent the prior week teasing the segment only to, a few hours before it was set to air have Weiss KILL it. Her reason? Trump, the WH and the administration had been contacted multiple times for comment which was noted in the CBS piece. Sometimes a subject chooses not to provide their own thoughts on or respond to a story. Sometimes they simply issue a simple “No comment” and that’s what happened here.
THAT was what Weiss cited as the reason the story wasn’t complete, ready for air etc. It was lacking WH comment. Critics wasted no time pointing out Weiss had handed the Trump administration o “kill switch.” By refusing to comment in any way, even off the record they could block a story they knew would be unflattering from airing! Again, months of work had gone into the CECOT story and along the way Team Trump was asked to weigh in about various thinks the 60 Minutes team had learned. The story had stood up to the highest journalistic standards. However it’s clear someone at the WH call Ellison who then called Weiss and said to find something, ANYTHING as an excuse to withhold the story.
Weiss did exactly what she was hired to do. It caused an uproar and fallout which likely isn’t over. Now compare that to THIS story about Ross being treated for ‘internal bleeding/injuries.’ You’ve seen the video of the incident including Ross’ own cell phone video. He wasn’t struck by Good’s vehicle. He calmly uttered “fucking bitch” as he walked up to it, then walked away and well past people near the spot where the shooting happened. As for his alleged ‘internal injuries’ he was by all accounts released from the hospital. And whisked away (as was his wife and stuff from their house in Minneapolis hours later.
One of the leaked emails indicates a medical producer suggesting getting clarification on Ross’ injuries including what type of treatment he received. The hospital of course is prevented from providing that kind of information without a signed waiver from Ross. What I want to keep hammering is that DHS technically would also be prevented from doing so but they could easily get Ross to approve release a a WHOLE lot more than is out there. Yet they are silent as a tomb. Why do they need to say anything at all when a simple phone call to Weiss to alert her to the post on X with a request to turn it into a full-blown story under the banner of a not that long ago iconic news outlet?
Weiss did what she was told and some other outlets picked it up, giving Trumpers/MAGAs in the country all they needed to dig in and amplify the claims made by Noem and others that Good was a ‘domestic terrorist’ who ‘weaponized’ her vehicle and attempted to ‘run over’ (or actually run over!) a bigly brave ICE Agent. So again I make the point about the glaringly obvious double-standard Weiss is imposing at CBS. Her job is clearly to turn it into ‘Fox-Lite’ and she’s well on her way. I’ll get in trouble for saying this but from where I sit Bari Weiss is a journalistic whore. A VERY well paid one to be sure. But still a journalistic whore. Luckily for her she’s shortish with dark brown hair and brown eyes so at least she doesn’t have to worry about Trump hitting on her!
Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite are spinning in their graves. I’m waiting for Dan Rather who is still sharp of mind to on his and their behalf take Weiss and her paymaster Ellison apart piece by piece.
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From the first paragraph. “…buttress bullsh*t claims Team Trump has been making to justify Ross’ death.”.
Ross’ death? You may want to correct that typo.