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Fox News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Media's glaring double standard exposed: Musk vilified while Dem senator gets a pass for identical gesture
Elon Musk and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., made similar gestures this year that were handled very differently by the press, according to a study conducted by the Media Research Center. Musk was famously accused of doing the Nazi salute in January while celebrating President Donald Trump's inauguration at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., when the Tesla mogul placed his hand over his heart and quickly extended it in a motion that alarmed liberal pundits. Booker made a similar gesture on Saturday when he capped off a speech to the California Democratic Party's convention by placing his right hand on his chest before raising it to the crowd. When Musk made the motion, he told the crowd he wanted to thank Trump supporters "from my heart to yours," but many quickly accused Musk of the Nazi-era salute. When Booker did it, many conservatives took to social media to remind them that Musk's critics frowned upon the move, but their point was essentially disregarded by the press. CNN, MSNBC and PBS spent 16 minutes and 17 seconds on the Musk ordeal in the week immediately following his gesture, according to the Media Research Center. The outlets found time to cover Musk during the midst of the inauguration as President Donald Trump made nonstop news with a bevy of executive orders. Booker's similar gesture was completely ignored by CNN, MSNBC and PBS, along with the broadcast networks, according to the MRC. ABC, NBC and CBS didn't cover either gesture, according to the MRC. NewsBusters senior research analyst Bill D'Agostino, who conducted the MRC study, noted that pundits continued to cover Elon's "salute" long after the first week. "Musk's salute has been brought up a total of 55 times on left-wing cable – CNN/MSNBC – and PBS, but only 22 of those occurred during the first week immediately following the incident," D'Agostino told Fox News Digital. "The longest single discussion about it took place more than a month after the actual incident, on the February 23 edition of MSNBC's 'Velshi,' during a larger segment which solely focused on the question of whether Musk is, in fact, a crypto-Nazi," D'Agostino added. "Musk was rarely given the benefit of the doubt for the gesture." D'Agostino found that much of the CNN and MSNBC coverage featured commentators or journalists calling it a "Nazi salute" or "Hitler salute." "The vast majority were eager not only to describe it as such, but to draw connections between it and Musk's subsequent speech to Germany's AFD party," D'Agostino said. "They're still talking about it," he added, noting that Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh even mentioned Musk's gesture this week on CNN. Booker's team has attempted to downplay the similar hand gesture. "Cory Booker was obviously just waving to the crowd. Anyone who claims his wave is the same as Elon Musk's gesture is operating in bad faith. The differences between the two are obvious to anyone without an agenda," a Booker spokesperson told Forbes. Booker's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Heritage Foundation media fellow Tim Young told Fox News Digital he believes the ordeal is yet another "of the many instances where you see a clear media bias" against Republicans, as Musk was still tied to Trump when the incident occurred. Musk and Trump have had a messy public spat this week, but it remains to be seen if that will improve Musk's standing in the anti-Trump media.
Fox News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'60 Minutes' correspondent ripped as ‘fraud' and ‘liar' for anti-Trump commencement speech
Prominent conservative social media users tore into "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley for slamming President Donald Trump during a recent commencement speech. After the CBS News reporter accused the Trump administration of attacking journalists and universities and creating a spirit of fear for "truth seekers" in the country during his address to Wake Forest University graduates earlier this month, conservatives took to X to blast the "pompous" media figure. "Pompous CBS journalist Scott Pelley closed his commencement address at Wake Forest by telling graduates they 'are the fierce defenders of democracy, the seekers of truth,' and 'the vanguard against ignorance' that's taken over the country (i.e. Trump)," the Media Research Center's Curtis Houck wrote. During his fiery speech last week, the CBS journalist painted a dark picture of the Trump agenda. "Why attack universities? Why attack journalism? Because ignorance works for power," Pelley said. "First, make the truth seekers live in fear, sue the journalists and their companies for nothing. Then, send masked agents to abduct a college student who wrote an editorial in her college paper defending Palestinian rights and send her to a prison in Louisiana charged with nothing. Then move to destroy the law firms that stand up for the rights of others." He continued, stating, "With that done, power can rewrite history with grotesque false narratives. They can make criminals heroes and heroes criminals. Power can change the definition of the words we use to describe reality. Diversity is now described as illegal. Equity is to be shunned. Inclusion is a dirty word. This is an old playbook, my friends. There's nothing new in this." Pelley then urged the graduates to speak up against the censorship and fear he said is being fostered by the administration. "In this moment, this moment, this morning, our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack. Freedom of speech is under attack. And insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts, the fear to speak in America. If our government is, in Lincoln's phrase, 'Of the people, by the people, for the people,' then why are we afraid to speak?" Pelley's words come as the Trump administration has sought to withhold federal grants from Harvard and other prestigious universities for allegedly promoting left-wing policies and failing to crack down on antisemitism on campus. The president is also in the middle of a lawsuit against Pelley's employer, CBS, alleging that the network deceptively edited a 2024 interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the presidential election. Conservatives on X weren't buying Pelley's assessment of Trump. Comedian Adam Corolla wrote on X, "TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] hits narcissist especially hard." Moms For Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice mentioned an interview she had with Pelley to show evidence of his left-wing bias. She wrote, "I read porn from public school library books to @ScottPelley, who listened with his glasses tucked between his lips. He edited out that part of the @60Minutes interview to make our concerns seem unfounded. Scott is a liar and fraud." Former Trump senior advisor Jason Miller commented, "OK @ScottPelley @CBSNews @ParamountGCD… we see you." Bill Clinton sexual assault accuser Juanita Broaddrick remarked, "What a pompous POS." CBS did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Google chatbot slammed for ‘anti-American' claims about ‘White Memorial Day'
Google's artificial intelligence chatbot is being slammed for "anti-American" claims about the supposed White supremacist origins of Memorial Day. The Media Research Center (MRC) Free Speech America project, a conservative media watchdog, is calling out Google for alleged bias coded into its AI chatbot "Gemini" after the group found the bot said that Memorial Day is controversial for a range of reasons, including problems with "inclusivity and representation" from the Jim Crow era. MRC said it asked Gemini the question "Is Memorial Day controversial?" May 16. According to MRC, the Google-run chatbot responded, "Yes, Memorial Day is a holiday that carries a degree of controversy, stemming from several factors." Among the reasons listed for the supposed controversy was a bullet point titled, "White Memorial Day," which claimed "historically, especially during the Jim Crow era, Memorial Day observances in many communities became predominantly 'white,' overlooking the contributions and sacrifices of Black service members. This historical exclusion remains a sensitive point." MRC also said that Gemini claimed Memorial Day is "often intertwined with national identity and patriotism," which the chatbot asserted "can be complex and controversial for individuals with differing perspectives on American history and foreign policy." The group also said Gemini claimed another problem with Memorial Day is the "glorification of War," saying "some argue that the focus on military sacrifice can inadvertently glorify war, rather than solely honoring the fallen and reflecting on the cost of conflict." Fox News Digital asked Gemini the same question Friday and was given the answer that while "the primary purpose of Memorial Day is to honor all U.S. military personnel who died while serving," the history of the holiday "does contain elements that can be viewed through the lens of race." Among the reasons for the controversy Gemini gave to Fox News Digital were "the continued observance of separate Confederate Memorial Days in some Southern states, honoring those who fought to preserve slavery, [which] is seen by many as racially insensitive and a painful reminder of a divisive past." Gemini told Fox News Digital that "while the act of honoring fallen service members is not inherently racist, the historical context, the selective narratives and the existence of Confederate observances mean that the history and observance of Memorial Day have been intertwined with racial issues." Google did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell steps down after 38 years
The Media Research Center (MRC) announced Monday that its president and founder, Brent Bozell III, will be stepping down after 38 years. David Bozell, MRC vice president for growth and development, will take over as president of the revered conservative media watchdog on May 27. "Founding the Media Research Center has been the honor of my life," Brent Bozell said in a statement. "What began as a mission to expose media bias has grown into a movement that holds the press accountable, defends truth, and empowers millions of Americans to speak out. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built, and I have full confidence in David and the team that will carry this work forward. The fight for America's culture is far from over, but thanks to MRC, it's finally a fair fight." Brent Bozell, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in March to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to South Africa, will depart the MRC to take on the diplomatic post. Abc, Nbc And Cbs Slap Trump With 92% Negative Coverage As 100Th Day Of Second Term Approaches, Study Finds Karl Ottosen, Chairman of the MRC Board of Directors, thanked Bozell for building an institution to hold the media accountable. Read On The Fox News App "Brent Bozell's vision changed the American media landscape," Ottosen said. "He gave voice to millions who felt ignored, and he built an institution that holds the press accountable like no other. On behalf of the Board, we are deeply grateful for his leadership and legacy. We are equally confident that David Bozell is the right person to lead MRC into the next chapter. His experience, conviction, and strategic clarity will ensure MRC continues to thrive in the fight for truth." David Bozell, who is Brent's son, served as president of ForAmerica before taking over as president of the MRC. He also serves on the Conservative Action Project's (CAP) coordinating committee as well as on the board of the Washington Policy Institute. He praised his father's work at the MRC, which works to expose and analyze liberal media bias, in a statement. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture "No one has done more to expose the media's corruption and protect the truth than my father," David Bozell said, according to an MRC press release. "Brent built MRC into the tip of the spear in the fight for America's culture, and I'm honored to carry that mission forward. The media has evolved, but so have we. MRC will meet the moment with the same fearless commitment to truth that Brent instilled from the beginning," he article source: Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell steps down after 38 years
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell steps down after 38 years
The Media Research Center (MRC) announced Monday that its president and founder, Brent Bozell III, will be stepping down after 38 years. David Bozell, MRC Vice President for Growth and Development, will take over as president of the revered conservative media watchdog on May 27. "Founding the Media Research Center has been the honor of my life," Brent Bozell said in a statement. "What began as a mission to expose media bias has grown into a movement that holds the press accountable, defends truth, and empowers millions of Americans to speak out. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built, and I have full confidence in David and the team that will carry this work forward. The fight for America's culture is far from over, but thanks to MRC, it's finally a fair fight." Brent Bozell, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in March to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, will depart the MRC to take on the diplomatic post. Karl Ottosen, Chairman of the MRC Board of Directors, thanked Bozell for building an institution to hold the media accountable. "Brent Bozell's vision changed the American media landscape," Ottosen said. "He gave voice to millions who felt ignored, and he built an institution that holds the press accountable like no other. On behalf of the Board, we are deeply grateful for his leadership and legacy. We are equally confident that David Bozell is the right person to lead MRC into the next chapter. His experience, conviction, and strategic clarity will ensure MRC continues to thrive in the fight for truth." David Bozell, who is Brent's son, served as president of ForAmerica before taking over as president of the MRC. He also serves on the Conservative Action Project's (CAP) coordinating committee as well as on the board of the Washington Policy Institute. He praised his father's work at the MRC, which works to expose and analyze liberal media bias, in a statement. "No one has done more to expose the media's corruption and protect the truth than my father," David Bozell said, according to an MRC press release. "Brent built MRC into the tip of the spear in the fight for America's culture, and I'm honored to carry that mission forward. The media has evolved, but so have we. MRC will meet the moment with the same fearless commitment to truth that Brent instilled from the beginning," he added.
