The narratives are in stark contrast, depending on which news channel you’ re watching. As President Trump exited Air Force One in Groton…
The narratives are in stark contrast, depending on which news channel you’ re watching.
As President Trump exited Air Force One in Groton, Conn., on Wednesday ahead of a commencement speech at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, the chyron on CNN read: “Sources – Comey says Trump tried to end Flynn probe.” On MSNBC: “Memo claims Trump urged Comey to drop Flynn probe.” And on Fox News: “Pres Trump to speak at U. S. Coast Guard Academy.”
A day after reports surfaced that FBI Director James B. Comey had written a memo noting Trump asked him to end an investigation into the ties between former national security advisor Michael Flynn and Russia, the headlines on cable television provided a glimpse into how this major story is being reported.
Here are some of today’s headlines:
Scrolling through the Breitbart website early Wednesday, there was no mention of the Comey memos. Instead, the website led its homepage with a story on how Russian President Vladimir Putin could possibly help prove Trump did not leak classified intelligence.
What’s noteworthy about the piece is that it casts doubt on the reports that Trump released classified intelligence.
Fox News also led its homepage with a piece on Putin’s willingness to provide details on Trump’s meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak.
For now, it appears most Capitol Hill Republicans are unwilling to abandon Trump amid the many controversies surrounding the White House.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) insisted more facts surrounding the Comey memos need to be released.
This piece notes some of Ryan’s comments while speaking to reporters.
“We can’ t deal with speculation and innuendo, and there’s clearly a lot of politics being played, ” Ryan said Wednesday.
Indeed, as noted in this space Tuesday night, some Republicans certainly believe politics are at the root of the controversies facing the White House.
In columns and on television, pundits have called on Republicans to stand up for Trump as some Democrats begin to whisper about impeachment.
Still, not all conservatives are on board with Trump.
In this piece by Gary Schmitt, he writes that “watching the White House these days is like driving down an interstate, but every two miles you have to slow to a crawl as you pass yet another car crash.”
“More than likely, the cause of the wreck is a reckless driver, but, of course, there are the innocent occupants in the other car, ” he writes. “Trump’s presidency feels like this endless series of car wrecks, with the victims being the country’s credibility abroad and now the reputations of his national security advisers.”
