The White House has launched a new initiative to label several mainstream media outlets as biased and misleading. This effort, which debuted on Friday, features a “Hall of Shame” that highlights 22 news organizations accused of repeatedly misrepresenting facts. Among those named are prominent entities such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, and CNN, along with major television networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS. Notably absent from the list is Fox News, a favored outlet of former President Donald Trump.
The initiative singles out three specific outlets—Boston Globe, CBS News, and The Independent—for their coverage of Trump’s statements regarding six Democratic lawmakers. These lawmakers had urged American troops to uphold their constitutional duties, suggesting that they could disobey illegal orders. Trump’s subsequent response included a series of posts on Truth Social, where he denounced the video as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL” and called for accountability for the lawmakers involved.
According to the White House webpage, the accused media outlets mischaracterized Trump’s remarks, stating that he had called for the “execution” of the lawmakers. The webpage asserts, “President Trump has never issued an illegal order. The Fake News knew that, but ran with the story anyway.” This statement underscores the administration’s frustration with the portrayal of Trump’s intentions in the media.
The inclusion of CBS News as a top offender is particularly notable, occurring shortly after Bari Weiss assumed leadership of the network’s news division. Weiss’s mandate focuses on addressing perceived liberal biases in coverage, a move welcomed by Trump in a recent interview with CBS‘s 60 Minutes, where he remarked, “I think you have a great, new leader, frankly.”
In response to the White House’s claims, the Washington Post emphasized its commitment to “accurate, rigorous journalism.” Meanwhile, both the Boston Globe and The Independent have yet to issue public comments regarding their inclusion on the list.
This new webpage reflects a broader strategy by the White House to engage with the media landscape directly, framing its narrative concerning media fairness and accuracy. As tensions between the administration and the press persist, the implications of this approach on public perception and media trustworthiness remain to be seen.
The initiative serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in the relationship between the government and the media, highlighting the significant role that news organizations play in shaping public discourse.
