Latest news with #Pelley
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Fox News' Howard Kurtz rips ‘60 Minutes' host Scott Pelley for anti-Trump commencement speech: ‘Wildly inappropriate'
Fox News host Howard Kurtz took aim at CBS journalist Scott Pelley over a fiery commencement address the '60 Minutes' correspondent delivered at Wake Forest University, criticizing it as a partisan broadside disguised as a graduation speech. During his 'MediaBuzz' program Sunday, Kurtz called out Pelley for what he described as a 'harsh rhetorical attack' on President Donald Trump, delivered before an audience of students and their families. 'I just think it's wildly inappropriate to use a commencement address to say such things,' Kurtz said. Advertisement 4 Fox News host Howard Kurtz took aim at veteran CBS journalist Scott Pelley over a fiery commencement address. Fox News Kurtz argued the speech was not only out of place but emblematic of a broader ideological slant at CBS News. 'Doesn't that reinforce the notion that the network is incredibly biased against the president?' he asked. Pelley, a fixture on '60 Minutes' since 1999, didn't hold back in his May 19 address to the graduating class at Wake Forest. He warned of what he described as a rising tide of fear and suppression in American public life, tying the climate directly to Trump-era politics. Advertisement 'This morning our sacred rule of law is under attack,' Pelley told the crowd. 'Journalism is under attack, universities are under attack, freedom of speech is under attack and insidious fear is reaching throughout schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts.' He went on: '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? Ignorance works for power. Power can change the definition of the words we used to describe reality. This is an old playbook, my friends. There is nothing new in this.' Advertisement 4 Pelley gave the commencement address at Wake Forest University on May 19. WFU Pelley's sweeping address, which drew applause from some in the crowd, was panned by critics online as overwrought and politically charged. One social media user slammed the veteran anchor for 'raging at Trump in an angry, unhinged commencement address,' while another called him 'a self-important, sermonizing propagandist.' Conservative commentator Juanita Broaddrick, who has long accused former President Bill Clinton of rape, labeled Pelley 'a pompous POS' in response to the speech. Advertisement 4 During his 'MediaBuzz' program Sunday, Kurtz called out Pelley for what he described as a 'harsh rhetorical attack' on President Donald Trump. AP Others pointed to the timing of the address, coming as CBS parent company Paramount Global is reportedly in settlement talks with Trump over a $20 billion lawsuit related to a controversial '60 Minutes' interview aired during the 2024 campaign. Trump's legal team alleges the show deceptively edited its sit-down with then–Vice President Kamala Harris to aid her candidacy. Lesley Stahl, another veteran of the broadcast, recently told The New Yorker that some '60 Minutes' staffers considered resigning in protest over the potential payout, which could reportedly reach $15 million. 4 Pelley is a correspondent for '60 Minutes,' which is at the center of a lawsuit filed by Trump against CBS corporate parent Paramount Global. 60 Minutes / CBS News 'Did Scott Pelley mention that 60 Minutes edited Kamala's campaign interview, and they helped her answer questions???' one critic wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 'Until he does that, his credibility is ZERO.' Despite the backlash, Pelley made a direct appeal to the next generation in his remarks, telling the graduates: 'Your country needs you — the country that has given you so much is calling you, the class of 2025, your country needs you and it needs you today.' Advertisement It's not the first time a broadcast journalist has drawn fire for injecting politics into a graduation ceremony, but Kurtz suggested the moment underscored what he sees as a pattern at CBS. Pelley and CBS News have not publicly responded to the criticism. Meanwhile, mediation efforts in Trump's lawsuit against the network began earlier this month.
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Scott Pelley's anti-Trump rant: Letters to the Editor — May 29, 2025
The Issue: '60 Minutes' anchor Scott Pelley's anti-Trump commencement speech at Wake Forest University. Contrary to what Scott Pelley said, America's free speech is not under attack ('Sinking to the depths of Pell,' Michael Goodwin, May 28). No, the public is under attack from so-called journalists like Pelley who continue to fail miserably by not being investigative or independent when covering news stories. Despite Pelley's years of journalistic experience, he couldn't even use language that would've inspired and encouraged the graduating class at North Carolina's Wake Forest University to be optimistic about the future as they embark on their careers. His rage and tone seemed to be the result of an acute case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. He owes the Class of 2025 an apology for his horrible presentation. Michael Headley Brooklyn Scott Pelley's rant at Wake Forest should be a career-ender. His address was vile and sophomoric; whoever booked him should also be canned. The mystery is how such benighted people gain access to forums that are dedicated to being free of bias. L. Toboroff Ramatuelle, France Some of the most seasoned news journalists are beginning to show their true colors. Rather than share insightful and uplifting words on this joyous occasion, Pelley felt compelled to try to indoctrinate a whole new crop of graduates. I'm seriously worried about the well-being of Pelley — and some of his misguided colleagues. He closed his eyes at times and was absurdly waving his arms as though he was at a religious revival. This was pure histrionic behavior at its best. My sympathies go out to the students who had to endure this unconvincing stage performance. The last thing that new graduates want to hear is doomsday pessimism. My advice to Mr. Pelley: Next time, leave your personal baggage at home and sulk on your own time. Ronald G. Frank West Orange, NJ Goodwin's piece about Pelley spewing his TDS rhetoric to a captive audience of graduates and their parents (most of whom probably voted for Trump) was spot-on. Pelley's ramblings that the rule of law, journalism and freedom of speech are 'under attack' left out the inconvenient truth that the first volleys were initiated by radical left prosecutors and judges, media outlets and universities. This can more accurately be described as a well-deserved counterattack. Jack Kaufman Naples, Fla. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters The Issue: King Charles' trip to Canada and comments about the country joining the United States. King Charles III is visiting one of the Commonwealth's countries, Canada, to remind anyone who doesn't understand history that it won't be the 51st state ('Aim of throne: Defend Canada,' May 28). President Trump is still enthusiastic about his plan, but all of his bluster is not going to be enough to beat the British royal family, who have over 1,000 years of experience handling all of the various upstarts who have annoyed them. Donald, stick with 50 stars on the flag. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia King Charles: Welcome to Canada! We cordially invite you to see Alberta one last time, while it's still part of the Commonwealth. Albertans are used to liberals making screwy decisions, which is why we want to leave Canada. Chris Robertson Alberta, Canada King Charles should mind his own business. It's of no concern to him if Canada becomes part of the US. Storm Destro Bayonne, NJ Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Laura Ingraham Has Meltdown Over '60 Minutes' Reporter Criticizing Trump During Speech
Fox News host Laura Ingraham tore into CBS journalist Scott Pelley this week after he seemingly criticized the Trump administration in a commencement speech. Pelley, who has worked at CBS for 36 years and has been a '60 Minutes' correspondent since 2004, notably didn't mention President Donald Trump by name while addressing graduates at North Carolina's Wake Forest University on May 19. Still, he noted, 'In this moment – this moment, this morning – our sacred rule of law is under attack.' 'An insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts,' he added. 'The fear to speak in America.' Clips of Pelley's remarks went viral online over Memorial Day weekend, prompting Ingraham's heated response Tuesday on 'The Ingraham Angle.' In the segment, Ingraham revealed she and Pelley, whom she deemed 'a tool' and 'as humorless and uninspiring as he is pessimistic and angry,' met as colleagues during her brief stint at CBS in 1996. 'Nothing's changed. Scott's still a whiny liberal and still bitter,' she said. 'What he will never admit is his own role of tanking the credibility of the press he supposedly is so desperate to save. His influence has waned, the power of his old network is gone. And now he's not shy about showing the rank bias we knew he harbored all along.' Ingraham went on to blast the 'media giants of my childhood — CBS, NBC and ABC' for being 'too stupid to see through their warped reporting and selective story selection,' at least when it came to Trump. 'So Scott's old world has fallen away, and now he is just shouting into the wind with odd gesticulations,' she added. 'Oblivious to the fact that it was the legacy media's lazy agenda-driven coverage that helped create the very conditions that he now blames Trump for, like censorship and racial hatred.' Sharing Ingraham's sentiments was Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany, who served as a White House press secretary during Trump's first term. After noting Pelley 'should have been' arrested for his remarks, she said, 'How dare he lecture these graduates. They wanted a sunny speech about going off into their careers, and instead they got a load of garbage.' Pelley's speech comes as Trump continues to take aim at universities over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, pro-Palestine protests and research funding, among other areas. Watch Scott Pelley's full Wake Forest University speech below. Laura Ingraham's Excitement Over Trump's Jan. 6 Pardon Is A Really Sad About-Face '60 Minutes' Reporter Rips Into Trump In Viral Commencement Speech Laura Ingraham Leveled A Racial Trope At Jasmine Crockett, And It's 'Not Subtle'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Laura Ingraham Has Meltdown Over '60 Minutes' Reporter Criticizing Trump During Speech
Fox News host Laura Ingraham tore into CBS journalist Scott Pelley this week after he seemingly criticized the Trump administration in a commencement speech. Pelley, who has worked at CBS for 36 years and has been a '60 Minutes' correspondent since 2004, notably didn't mention President Donald Trump by name while addressing graduates at North Carolina's Wake Forest University on May 19. Still, he noted, 'In this moment – this moment, this morning – our sacred rule of law is under attack.' 'An insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts,' he added. 'The fear to speak in America.' Clips of Pelley's remarks went viral online over Memorial Day weekend, prompting Ingraham's heated response Tuesday on 'The Ingraham Angle.' In the segment, Ingraham revealed she and Pelley, whom she deemed 'a tool' and 'as humorless and uninspiring as he is pessimistic and angry,' met as colleagues during her brief stint at CBS in 1996. 🚨 WATCH: Fox's @IngrahamAngle calls out CBS' Scott Pelley over speech to graduates: 'His influence has waned, the power of his old network has gone. And now he's not shy about showing the rank bias we knew he harbored all along.' — TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) May 27, 2025 'Nothing's changed. Scott's still a whiny liberal and still bitter,' she said. 'What he will never admit is his own role of tanking the credibility of the press he supposedly is so desperate to save. His influence has waned, the power of his old network is gone. And now he's not shy about showing the rank bias we knew he harbored all along.' Ingraham went on to blast the 'media giants of my childhood — CBS, NBC and ABC' for being 'too stupid to see through their warped reporting and selective story selection,' at least when it came to Trump. 'So Scott's old world has fallen away, and now he is just shouting into the wind with odd gesticulations,' she added. 'Oblivious to the fact that it was the legacy media's lazy agenda-driven coverage that helped create the very conditions that he now blames Trump for, like censorship and racial hatred.' Sharing Ingraham's sentiments was Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany, who served as a White House press secretary during Trump's first term. After noting Pelley 'should have been' arrested for his remarks, she said, 'How dare he lecture these graduates. They wanted a sunny speech about going off into their careers, and instead they got a load of garbage.' Pelley's speech comes as Trump continues to take aim at universities over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, pro-Palestine protests and research funding, among other areas. Watch Scott Pelley's full Wake Forest University speech below. Laura Ingraham's Excitement Over Trump's Jan. 6 Pardon Is A Really Sad About-Face '60 Minutes' Reporter Rips Into Trump In Viral Commencement Speech Laura Ingraham Leveled A Racial Trope At Jasmine Crockett, And It's 'Not Subtle'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fox News stars want Scott Pelley arrested and ‘60 Minutes' canceled over anti-Trump free speech defense
After spending the past few years railing against the Biden administration for its supposed attacks on free speech and censorship of social media platforms, Fox News is now calling for a CBS News journalist to be locked up and his show canceled for warning college graduates that 'freedom of speech is under attack.' What appears to be most rankling to the conservative news network's stars are Scott Pelley's comments in a commencement speech at Wake Forest that were sharply directed at President Donald Trump. A week after Pelley delivered an impassioned address, clearly targeted at Trump, MAGA world fully melted down over it after clips were shared online by a pro-Trump account. The speech went viral over the Memorial Day weekend as conservatives lashed out in anger and Fox News picked up the mantle after the holiday. 'Does he hate half the country as much as he hates President Trump?' anchor Harris Faulkner huffed on Tuesday morning's broadcast of The Faulkner Focus. 'He never mentions anything about the 76 million people who voted for Trump as being valuable and loved in the country. He goes after the man they voted for.' The portion that specifically incensed conservatives and Trump supporters was Pelley — whose network is currently facing a $20 billion lawsuit from the president over an edited 60 Minutes interview of Kamala Harris in the stretch run of the presidential campaign — having referenced Trump's attacks on the media and the nation's sacred institutions. The longtime 60 Minutes correspondent did not mention the president by name. 'But in this moment, this moment, this morning, our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack,' he declared. '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.' Noting that 'ignorance works for power,' Pelley also pointed out that they first 'make the truth-seekers live in fear' when they 'sue the journalists and their companies for nothing,' an apparent reference to the president's lawsuit. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, is considering a settlement of that complaint in an effort to coax the Trump administration to approve a mega-merger with Skydance Media. The possibility of settling a lawsuit that legal experts describe as frivolous has resulted in the abrupt resignations of 60 Minutes' executive producer and CBS News' chief, along with Democratic senators suggesting that the company could be breaking anti-bribery laws. Pelley also took aim at the administration's efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 'With that done, power can rewrite history with grotesque, false narratives,' he stated. '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.' Faulkner wasn't done with her hyperbolic and breathless indignation over Pelley's speech. During the midday roundtable show Outnumbered, which she co-anchors, she seemingly accused CBS News of antisemitism while suggesting the White House could soon turn its attention to shutting down the network. 'We know what is happening. They are losing their relevancy and soon will be losing their funding,' she said, perhaps confusing CBS with PBS, which Trump directed to be defunded by an executive order this month. Referencing a previous interview with former Fox News pundit Leo Terrell, who now leads the president's so-called antisemitism task force, Faulkner noted that Terrell told her 'we are not stopping with Harvard' and will be going after other institutions. 'The administration has an answer for this,' she concluded. 'And Scott Pelley – well, I don't know – maybe it won't be 60 Minutes anymore. Maybe he can just go on a speaking tour.' Former Trump press secretary turned Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany went even further during Tuesday's broadcast of top-rated panel show The Five. After the network's resident 'comedian' Greg Gutfeld jokingly brushed off Pelley's warnings by pointing out 'he wasn't arrested after that,' McEnany called for that very thing to happen. 'He should have been, because there was an overt lie,' she exclaimed. 'What do you know about journalism being under attack? What does he know about that? I mean, 60 Minutes should be reduced to zero minutes.' Grumbling that Pelley recently interviewed a Democratic attorney for a segment on Trump targeting law firms, one of several 60 Minutes reports that have drawn the president's ire, McEnany fumed that Pelley knows 'nothing about journalism' and that his commencement speech was a 'load of garbage.' Naturally, the right-wing network's primetime lineup – which includes the president's shadow chief of staff Sean Hannity – kept the outrage flowing through the evening. 'Scott's still a whiny liberal and still bitter,' Laura Ingraham growled during an eight-minute show-opening monologue about Pelley's speech. 'What he will never admit is his own role of tanking the credibility of the press he supposedly is so desperate to save. His influence has waned, the power of his old network is gone. And now he's not shy about showing the rank bias we knew he harbored all along.' Hannity, meanwhile, complained that the former CBS Evening News anchor's address was 'full of rage and anti-Trump rhetoric,' adding that Pelley is a 'biased liberal radical talk show host and here's the proof.' The evidence, according to the Fox News star, was Pelley saying that 'journalism is under attack.'
