Apparently some political violence just isn’t that interesting, at least when conservatives are the victims. That's apparently the view of the journalists at CBS and MSNBC. On Thursday night, a man with a blade rushed the stage as Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin was speaking in Rochester, New York. The assailant attempted to stab the Republican gubernatorial candidate before being wrestled to the ground.
Yet, CBS allowed a scant 29 seconds on the shocking incident and MSNBC waited until 5:24 a.m. Eastern on Friday to cover it — for 36 seconds. (Nothing on the four hour-long Morning Joe.)
ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday did slightly better, managing 58 seconds. World News Now co-host Andrew Dymburt explained, “A scary moment for Republican Lee Zeldin after he was almost stabbed at a campaign event in upstate New York yesterday. Now, Zeldin says he is okay and that he was able to fend off the attacker by grabbing his wrist until others tackled that suspect to the ground.”
But for some reason, Dymburt found it necessary to offer this extraneous detail: “Zeldin, a Republican Congressman and staunch Trump ally, is currently challenging Democrat Kathy Hochul in New York's governor's race.” What does Zeldin’s support for Trump have to do with anything?
Dymburt also neglected to mention the assailant has already been released: “As for the attacker, he was arrested and now New York's major crimes unit is investigating.”
NBC’s Today offered more time, a total of two minutes and five seconds, but didn’t get to the attack until 8:06 AM. Unlike Dymburt, at least, reporter Gabe Gutierrez at least noted that suspect David Jukubonis has been released: “Charging him with attempted assault in the second degree. Later releasing him on his own recognizance. “
This is something that Zeldin predicted on Thursday night. Early on Friday, he cited New York’s soft crime laws, tweeting: “Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes. The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY’s laws.”
CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King noted, “The suspect has been charged with attempted assault, and he's been released.” In addition to CBS’s 29 seconds, there was this weird tweet from the network’s Face the Nation page:
Zeldin “said” that a man attacked him? This isn't in dispute. There’s actual video footage of it.
It wasn’t until 5:24 a.m. Eastern on Friday that MSNBC finally discovered the story. Host Jonathan Lemire mentioned it for 36 seconds:
Representative Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor of New York was attacked yesterday while speaking at a campaign event upstate. Video of the attack shows Zeldin addressing supporters when a man climbed on stage and began wrestling the congressman. The man appears to grab Zeldin’s arm before the two fall on the ground as other people attempt to intervene. Zelden in a statement issued after the attack, wrote that he, his running mate Alison Esposito, his campaign staff were all safe. Zeldin’s campaign says the attacker was taken into custody and the Congressman continued his speech. Terrifying moment there.
In June, the networks refused to say the name of the radical pro-abortion group Jane’s Revenge, an organization that has committed fire bombings and arson against pro-life pregnancy centers. Violence against conservatives and Republicans simply isn’t that interesting to journalists, so don’t believe them when they talk about the need for the press to expose radicals and extremists.
The burying of political violence by MSNBC was sponsored by Simplisafe. On CBS, it was supported by Progressive. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
Transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS Mornings
7/22/2022
7:14 AM ETGAYLE KING: The Republican candidate for New York governor had a scary close call on the campaign trail last night. Congressman Lee Zeldin was speaking at a campaign rally outside Rochester when a man climbed on the stage, pulled out a sharp blade, and said "You're done." He lunged at Zeldin who says that he grabbed the man's wrist before others tackled and restrained the man. No one was hurt. The suspect has been charged with attempted assault, and he's been released.
TONY DOKOUPIL: Awful scene. I'm glad no one was hurt there.
------------------------------------
Today
7/22/2022
8:06 AM ETJACOB SOBEROFF: Now the a frightening moment near Rochester on the campaign trail yesterday near Rochester, New York. Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin was attacked on stage during an outdoor rally. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez is here with video of the incident. Gabe, good morning.
GABE GUTIERREZ: Jacob, good morning. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are condemning the attack this morning. Zeldin is challenging incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul. Witnesses say he was giving a speech on bail reform when the event devolved into chaos. .
LEE ZELDIN: And this is our last stand for New York.
GUTIERREZ: A political campaign event taking a violent turn. A man attacking Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin during a speech in upstate New York. Video of the incident, obtained by our NBC affiliate WHEC shows the man approaching Zeldin on stage at the VFW post near Rochester.
ZELDIN: And there's only one option.
DAVID JAKUBONIS: [As he lunges with sharp object] You're done! You're done! You’re done!
GUTIERREZ: Holding a sharp-looking object in his hand, the man lunges at Zeldin, according to Zeldin’s campaign. Zeldin grabbing the man’s wrist before others intervened, tackling the man to the ground. Monroe county sheriff's deputies identify the man as 43-year-old David Jakubonis. The crowd cheering as police arrive on the scene and handcuff Jakubonis, taking him into custody. Charging him with attempted assault in the second degree. Later releasing him on his own recognizance. Following the scuffle, Zeldin went back on stage to finish his remarks later tweeting, “Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded.” While investigators have not confirmed a motive for the attack, the incident comes as actual or threatened violence against lawmakers is on the rise. According to a New York Times review, more than 75 people have been indicted for threatening lawmakers since 2016.
SOBOROFF: Extremely scary. Gabe, thanks so much.
------------------------------------
Good Morning America
7/22/2022
7:17AM ETGEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Now to an attack on a congressman running for governor of New York. Representative Lee Zeldin was ambushed during a campaign event and Andrew Dymburt has the story. Good morning, Andrew.
ANDREW DYMBURT: And good morning, George. A scary moment for Republican Lee Zeldin after he was almost stabbed at a campaign event in upstate New York yesterday. Now, Zeldin says he is okay and that he was able to fend off the attacker by grabbing his wrist until others tackled that suspect to the ground. We're told this assailant apparently climbed on to a stage where Zeldin was speaking and then tried to stab the GOP gubernatorial candidate. Video circulating online shows the two falling to the ground during a tense struggle as others tried to intervene. Zeldin, a Republican Congressman and staunch Trump ally, is currently challenging Democrat Kathy Hochul in New York's governor's race. Zeldin meanwhile says he suffered just a little scrape. He even continued his campaign speech after this frightening ordeal. As for the attacker he was arrested and now New York's major crimes unit is investigating. Guys.
------------------------------------
Way Too Early
7/22/2022
5:24 AM ET
JONATHAN LEMIRE: Representative Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor of New York was attacked yesterday while speaking at a campaign event upstate. Video of the attack shows Zeldin addressing supporters when a man climbed on stage and began wrestling the congressman. The man appears to grab Zeldin’ arm before the two fall on the ground as other people attempt to intervene. Zelden in a statement issued after the attack, wrote that he, his running mate Alison Esposito, his campaign staff were all safe. Zeldin’s campaign says the attacker was taken into custody and the Congressman continued his speech. Terrifying moment there.
