Monday was the first weekday since the horrific terrorist attacks against Israel by Iran-funded Hamas terrorists. Therefore, this was the first opportunity for the weeknight anchors of the big three evening news broadcasts to properly cover the attacks and note that the Biden administration had given Iran $6 billion in exchange for hostages only weeks prior to the attacks.
Among the three networks, only CBS Evening News & NBC Nightly News made any mention. ABC’s World News Tonight had no interest despite going wall-to-wall with coverage of the attacks.
“Today, McCarthy joined other Republicans blaming Mr. Biden for Iran's role in the Hamas attacks,” correspondent Nancy Cordes reported for CBS Evening News. “The U.S. arranged a prisoner swap with Iran last month that freed up $6 billion in Iranian oil money,” she added.
She then aired a soundbite of former House Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy in which he noted how Iran was “wealthier, richer, and stronger under this Biden administration.”
“Accusations like that drew fierce pushback from White House officials,” Cordes huffed before playing a response from Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby: “This money was always earmarked only for humanitarian purposes. It doesn't go to the Iranian regime. It goes through approved vendors right to the Iranian people who we have no beef with.”
Meanwhile, on NBC Nightly News, White House correspondent Peter Alexander gave a brief mention of Republican criticism of Biden: “Right now the U.S.S. Gerald Ford carrier strike group is headed to the Israeli coast meant to deter Hamas. Still, Republicans are slamming the President, Lester, arguing his policies have only emboldened terrorists.”
The transcripts are below:
CBS Evening News
10/9/2023
6:43:42 p.m. EasternNANCY CORDES: Today McCarthy joined other Republicans blaming Mr. Biden for Iran's role in the Hamas attacks. The U.S. arranged a prisoner swap with Iran last month that freed up $6 billion in Iranian oil money.
REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY: They are wealthier, richer, and stronger under this Biden administration.
CORDES: Accusations like that drew fierce pushback from White House officials.
JOHN KIRBY: This money was always earmarked only for humanitarian purposes. It doesn't go to the Iranian regime. It goes through approved vendors right to the Iranian people who we have no beef with.
NBC Nightly News
10/9/2023
6:45:28 p.m. EasternPETER ALEXANDER: Lester, we have just learned that President Biden will deliver remarks here about the attacks tomorrow afternoon. From the President tonight a grim acknowledgment that Americans are likely among those held hostage, directing his administration to share intelligence and to send hostage recovery experts to Israel. He says federal law enforcement are monitoring for any domestic threats here at home. The President calling the enormity of the loss unfathomable. Today huddling with national security advisers. And in a joint statement with European allies condemning the attacks. Right now the U.S.S. Gerald Ford carrier strike group is headed to the Israeli coast meant to deter Hamas. Still, Republicans are slamming the President, Lester, arguing his policies have only emboldened terrorists. Lester?
