Summary of Podcast Episode: "Media Lies & Hypocrisy: From Don Lemon to Andrea Mitchell to the NYT" The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Release Date: February 24, 2023

Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a robust discussion with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, delving into the pervasive issues of media bias and hypocrisy. The conversation critically examines instances where mainstream media figures and outlets have displayed apparent double standards, particularly in their treatment of conservative voices and viewpoints.

1. Media Bias and Double Standards

A. The Decline of Independent Journalism

At the outset ([00:16]), Senator Cruz laments the deterioration of media integrity, asserting:

“One of the most dangerous aspects in our democracy today is that we no longer have a free and independent media. We no longer have a media that engages in actual journalism.”

Cruz emphasizes that the media has shifted from objective reporting to partisan propaganda, predominantly aligning with leftist ideologies. He criticizes the corporate media for abandoning traditional journalistic principles, focusing instead on pushing a liberal agenda and attacking conservative figures.

B. The Don Lemon Incident

Ben Ferguson introduces a significant example of media hypocrisy involving CNN's Don Lemon ([01:48]). He highlights an incident where Don Lemon made controversial remarks about women's age and their prime years without facing the same repercussions that a conservative commentator would likely endure under similar circumstances.

Don Lemon’s Comments ([02:22]):

“So talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think that. I think it's the wrong road to go down...”

Senator Cruz’s Critique ([03:15]):

“His comments there are drippingly misogynistic... He's willing to suggest that, that once a woman hits her 40s, by her 50s, she's over the hill...”

Cruz accuses Don Lemon of misogyny and demonstrates a double standard in the media's tolerance, pointing out that Lemon faced minimal consequences and returned to his role without a genuine apology. He further criticizes CNN for defending Lemon, highlighting the media’s reluctance to hold its own accountable members to the same standards expected of conservatives.

Ben Ferguson’s Observation ([07:44]):

“He gets his job back, right?...”

Ferguson underscores the lack of accountability, noting that if a conservative had made similar remarks, they would have been swiftly dismissed.

2. Andrea Mitchell’s Controversy

A. Interview with Vice President Kamala Harris

Ben Ferguson shifts focus to another media figure, Andrea Mitchell of NBC, who recently conducted an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris ([09:51]). Mitchell reportedly made misleading statements regarding Governor Ron DeSantis’s stance on teaching slavery in Florida schools.

Andrea Mitchell’s Question ([11:50]):

“What does Governor Ron DeSantis not know about black history and the black experience when he says that slavery and the aftermath of slavery should not be taught to Florida schoolchildren?”

Senator Cruz vehemently disputes Mitchell’s portrayal, labeling her questions as "incredibly ignorant" and "a total blatant lie" ([12:05]). He argues that Florida schools do teach about slavery and its aftermath, citing historical context to counter Mitchell's claims.

B. Media's Misrepresentation and Apology

Mitchell later issued a statement attempting to retract her earlier comments without offering a genuine apology ([21:21]):

“In my interview last Friday with Vice President Harris, I was imprecise in summarizing Governor DeSantis’s position...”

Cruz criticizes this as a non-apology, arguing that Mitchell failed to acknowledge the falsity of her statements fully. He draws parallels between Mitchell's and Lemon’s actions, illustrating a pattern of the media’s disregard for factual accuracy when it conflicts with their partisan narratives.

3. The New York Times Op-Ed Fallout

A. Tom Cotton’s Op-Ed and Editorial Board Response

Senator Cruz discusses a pivotal incident involving Republican Senator Tom Cotton’s op-ed submitted to The New York Times during the summer of 2020, amidst national unrest and protests. Cotton advocated for deploying the National Guard to address the riots, a stance that Cruz personally disagreed with ([27:15]).

Cruz recounts how the New York Times staff, predominantly young and left-leaning, reacted vehemently against the op-ed, leading to the firing of the editorial page editor, James Bennett ([32:42]). The response, according to Cruz, exemplifies the media's intolerance for dissenting conservative opinions and its swift punitive measures against perceived deviations from their ideological stance.

B. Senator Cruz’s Personal Experience with Op-Eds

Ben Ferguson inquires about Cruz’s attempts to publish op-eds in liberal outlets like The New York Times ([33:28]). Cruz reveals that while he has successfully published numerous op-eds in conservative and moderate publications, his efforts with liberal newspapers have largely been unsuccessful. He shares an anecdote about columnist Frank Bruni of The New York Times apologizing for past derogatory remarks made about him, highlighting the entrenched partisan bias within such institutions ([36:35]).

“Frank Bruni... wrote... 'I owe Ted Cruz an apology...'”

Cruz criticizes the farewells and contemplations of journalists like Bruni as insufficient, labeling them as admissions of failure to maintain journalistic objectivity.

4. Critique of Mask Mandates and Related Media Narratives

A. New York Times Opinion Piece by Brett Stevens

Ben Ferguson addresses another controversial New York Times opinion piece by Brett Stevens titled, “The mask mandates did nothing. Will any lessons be learned?” ([37:08]). The article asserts that mask mandates were ineffective in curbing the spread of COVID-19, basing its conclusions on studies from Cochrane and highlighting the lack of significant evidence supporting mask efficacy.

Senator Cruz supports the article’s findings, arguing that mask mandates were a bureaucratic overreach with minimal impact. He emphasizes the media's role in perpetuating narratives that support governmental policies without adequately questioning their efficacy.

“It's stunning the Times published this...”

Cruz also criticizes public figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and President Joe Biden for their roles in promoting and maintaining mask mandates despite emerging evidence questioning their effectiveness.

B. Media's Inversion of Reality

Cruz accuses the media of gaslighting the public and inverting reality by blaming Republicans for school shutdowns while attributing the closures to Democratic policies. He underscores the media's double standards in attributing responsibility and shaping public perception to fit a liberal agenda.

“They try to gaslight the American people...”

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Senator Cruz concludes by reiterating the media's abandonment of genuine journalism in favor of political advocacy and ideological enforcement. He underscores the absence of accountability among media figures and outlets, highlighting their persistent alignment with leftist ideologies regardless of factual inaccuracies or public backlash.

“Journalism is dead...”

Ben Ferguson echoes Cruz's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing media biases to preserve democratic integrity and informed public discourse.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Senator Ted Cruz on Media Decline ([00:16]):

  “One of the most dangerous aspects in our democracy today is that we no longer have a free and independent media.”

• Don Lemon's Controversial Comment ([02:22]):

  “She wouldn't be in her prime according to Google.”

• Senator Cruz Criticizing Don Lemon ([03:15]):

  “He doesn't consider Nikki Haley a woman... Don Lemon despises Clarence Thomas.”

• Andrea Mitchell’s Misrepresentation Apology ([21:21]):

  “I regret it. A woman's age doesn't define her either personally or professionally.”

• Senator Cruz on New York Times Op-Ed Fallout ([27:15]):

  “James Bennett... was a down the road left wing Democrat partisan.”

• Frank Bruni’s Apology to Ted Cruz ([36:35]):

  “I owe Ted Cruz an apology, though really, it's the readers to whom I should say I'm sorry.”

• Senator Cruz on Mask Mandates Op-Ed ([39:55]):

  “It's stunning the Times published this...”

Final Remarks

This episode of The 47 Morning Update presents a critical examination of perceived media biases, using specific instances involving prominent media figures and outlets to illustrate broader concerns about journalistic integrity and partisanship. Through the insights of Senator Ted Cruz, the discussion underscores the challenges faced by conservatives in navigating a media landscape that, according to Cruz, favors liberal narratives and marginalizes opposing viewpoints.