Appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday to promote her new children’s book, Chelsea Clinton was treated to predictable fawning coverage. However, what made the softball segment particularly galling was the tone-deaf manner in which co-host Robin Roberts teed up the former first daughter to voice support for the #MeToo movement while not bothering to mention Bill Clinton’s treatment of women.
“March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating barrier-breakers all around the globe. Former First Daughter and busy mother of two, Chelsea Clinton, is here,” declared Roberts, being interrupted by cheers and applause from the friendly studio audience. The anchor continued: “Her new book, She Persisted Around the World, features 13 incredible women’s stories. I love that, there was no applause sign, that came from the heart from the people here.”
After giving Clinton a couple minutes to sell the book, Roberts wondered about Hillary Clinton: “I know that you said after the election that your mother had some extra time and she was really enjoying being a grandmother and spending time. How is she doing?” Chelsea assured her: “She’s great.”
Roberts followed up by urging Clinton to speak out on the anti-sexual harassment movement across the country: “You’re mother, great advocate for women and girls. You have been the same way, Chelsea. And seeing this #MeToo movement and Time’s Up, what does this past year mean to you?”
Clinton proclaimed: “Well, it means to me that the girls sitting in front of us that hopefully they’re never going to have to have that moment. Because hopefully their voices are gonna be so valued and listened to.” Her comments were greeted with more applause from the crowd.
Amazingly, Clinton’s father being accused by numerous women of sexual harassment and assault was completely ignored. And despite Roberts’ assertion that Hillary Clinton was a “great advocate for women,” nothing was said about the former First Lady’s efforts to denigrate and discredit Bill’s accusers.
Instead, Roberts turned to a group of young girls set to ask Chelsea about her book. The host laughably warned: “I mean, I was tough, but they can be really tough.” Clinton replied: “I’m ready.”
The blatant attempt by ABC to rehabilitate the Clintons, of all people, in the midst of the #MeToo movement is shameless.
Treating Clinton to similar glowing coverage on CBS’s Late Show on Monday, host Stephen Colbert urged her to shout profanity at President Trump on air.
Here is a transcript of the March 6 exchange:
8:21 AM ET
ROBIN ROBERTS: March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating barrier-breakers all around the globe. Former First Daughter and busy mother of two, Chelsea Clinton, is here. Her new children’s book – [Cheers and applause]
CHELSEA CLINTON: Thank you, thank you.
ROBERTS: Her new book, She Persisted Around the World, features 13 incredible women’s stories. I love that, there was no applause sign, that came from the heart from the people here.
CLINTON: Oh, thank you, Robin.
ROBERTS: Always good to see you, Chelsea.
CLINTON: Thank you, I’m so happy to be here – to be here with you. My first interview since the book came out today. And just to share these remarkable stories of 13 women who have changed the world for the better for all of the children you see today.
(...)
ROBERTS: I know that you said after the election that your mother had some extra time and she was really enjoying being a grandmother and spending time. How is she doing?
CLINTON: She’s great. Aiden calls her Gaga. He can’t quite get grandmother yet. And it’s just so meaningful for me to watch the relationship that my children are developing with my mother because I was so close to my grandmother. And I’m just really thankful that they have that time.
ROBERTS: Who you dedicate the book to, Dorothy.
CLINTON: I dedicate the book to, yes.
ROBERTS: You’re mother, great advocate for women and girls. You have been the same way, Chelsea. And seeing this Me Too movement and Time’s up, what does this past year mean to you?
CLINTON: Well, it means to me that the girls sitting in front of us that hopefully they’re never going to have to have that moment.
ROBERTS: Yeah. [Applause]
CLINTON: Because hopefully their voices are gonna be so valued and listened to. [Applause]
ROBERTS: Well, you want to hear from them?
CLINTON: Yes.
ROBERTS: Okay. I mean, I was tough, but they can be really tough.
CLINTON: I’m ready.
ROBERTS: Okay, where’s Damiana? Damiana? Damiana, where are you?
DAMIANA: Right here.
ROBERTS: Over here?
CLINTON: Oh, right there, with the stars.
ROBERTS: Oh, I know this one. Uh-oh. What’s your question?
DAMIANA: Can you share a story about how you didn’t take no for an answer?
CLINTON: Well, that is a great question. [Applause] That is a great question. I will say, I’m really lucky to always have had parents and my grandmother who always told me that everything just should be yes.
(...)
