It was day one of the Republican National Convention with the main events yet to kick-off, and the liberal broadcast networks were itching to tear into their opposition. ABC, CBS, and NBC had their knives out during their Monday evening newscasts and were taking stabs and swings at everything from the Trump supporters outside to their “controversial” speaker list.
For ABC’s coverage, World News Tonight anchor David Muir wasted little time in decrying the Trump supporters who gathered in North Carolina. “President Trump greeting a crush of supporters in North Carolina, the images of the crowd. Many taking note that in the crowd, few masks, no social distancing,” he whined.
ABC White House correspondent and White House Correspondents Association President, Jonathan Karl began his report by lashing out the crowd of average Americans and chiding their excitement for their candidate. “Pandemic? What pandemic? President Trump was greeted by a crowd of supporters in North Carolina today. No masks or social distancing but plenty of enthusiasm for Trump,” he chided.
It’s understandable why Karl would be irritated by their excitement; CBS polling has shown the President topping the media’s candidate (Democratic nominee Joe Biden) with a sizable enthusiasm gap.
And while the Democratic National Convention featured four days of claiming the world was at stake in the election, Karl huffed about how “the President kicked off the Republican convention with a dark warning” about the election.
There was a similar complaint on NBC Nightly News from chief White House correspondent Hallie Jackson. She suggested, “a Democratic convention full of doom and gloom” was just something, “they say” in the Trump campaign. But it’s a fact.
Jackson also bemoaned about the “controversial culture war moments” being put “front and center at the convention.” Her chief complaint was the St. Louis couple that prevented Black Lives Matter extremists from torching their home (Click “expand”):
JACKSON: And his campaign is putting controversial culture war moments front and center at the convention; starting tonight with a speaking slot for McCloskeys, the St. Louis couple who pulled guns on Black Lives Matter protesters on their property.
The President's son, Donald Trump Jr. is expected to go on offense this evening. The President himself will have a role each night of the convention. The TV producer-in-chief proving it's not just his party, but this week his show.
“The renomination in Charlotte in person, not virtual, with fewer delegates than usual, more rally than roll call after a surprise speech by the President,” she also groaned.
Even with all these swipes from their liberal media colleagues, the coverage on CBS Evening News was even more insidious. Citing the tropical storms that could turn into hurricanes before slamming into the Gulf Coast, anchor Norah O’Donnell appeared to hint Trump wouldn’t care about the people:
Now that could make it the most powerful storm to hit the area since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita landed one after the other 15 years ago. If that happens, it would upend President Trump's plans to speak at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, or leave him addressing his party while the storm is hitting.
It could also be argued that she was setting the groundwork to demand the cancellation of the Republican National Convention.
This whining about the Republican National Convention before it really got started was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Allegra on ABC, Amazon on CBS, and Consumer Cellular on NBC. Their contact information is linked so you can tell them about what they’re funding. CBS Evening News has also asked people to “text Norah” at this number: (202) 217-1107.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
August 24, 2020
6:37:32 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: We turn next here this Monday night to a big week ahead for President Trump. Last week, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. This week, it's the Republican National Convention and it's already under way tonight.
President Trump greeting a crush of supporters in North Carolina, the images of the crowd. Many taking note that in the crowd, few masks, no social distancing. President Trump seeking a second term and trying to send a message as he travels the country in this pandemic.
And it all comes as new secret recordings of the President's sister, a retired judge, are made public. What she said. And the ABC News exclusive. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris last night right here and Biden responding to the President's attacks on his mental fitness. Here's our chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl tonight.
[Cuts to video]
CROWD: USA! USA!
JON KARL: Pandemic? What pandemic? President Trump was greeted by a crowd of supporters in North Carolina today. No masks or social distancing but plenty of enthusiasm for Trump.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: This has been a real love fest between North Carolina and Trump, right? It's been incredible.
KARL: The President kicked off the Republican convention with a dark warning.
TRUMP: This is the most important election in the history of our country. Don't let them take it away from you.
(…)
CBS Evening News
August 24, 2020
6:32:57 p.m. Eastern(…)
NORAH O’DONNELL: Now that could make it the most powerful storm to hit the area since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita landed one after the other 15 years ago.
If that happens, it would up-end President Trump's plans to speak at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, or leave him addressing his party while the storm is hitting.
The convention, which began today in Charlotte with a roll call vote and a surprise appearance by the President, will continue tonight. The Trump campaign is hoping to use the week-long event to focus on the President's agenda in the face of growing frustration of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
(…)
NBC Nightly News
August 24, 2020
7:07:14 p.m. Eastern(…)
HALLIE JACKSON: The renomination in Charlotte in person, not virtual, with fewer delegates than usual, more rally than roll call after a surprise speech by the President.
His advisers scoffing at a Democratic convention full of doom and gloom, they say, previewed a Republican event packed with positivity and optimism. But on day one instead, grievances and false claims.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election. We're going to win this election. We're going to win this election.
(…)
JACKSON: And his campaign is putting controversial culture war moments front and center at the convention; starting tonight with a speaking slot for McCloskey’s, the St. Louis couple who pulled guns on Black Lives Matter protesters on their property.
The President's son, Donald Trump Jr. is expected to go on offense this evening. The President himself will have a role each night of the convention. The TV producer-in-chief proving it's not just his party, but this week his show.
(…)
