South Carolina Democratic Representative James Clyburn took a swipe at certain media outlets, saying they are “capitulating” to an autocrat, seemingly pointing to President Donald Trump.
Newsweek reached out to The Washington Post and CBS News via email late Wednesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The president has an embattled relationship with mainstream media, seeming to tote positive articles and clips on social media, but on the other hand ripping critical coverage of real-time events.
Network media like The Washington Post and CBS News have found themselves at ground zero of Trump’s firestorm, but on opposing sides.
The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, said it would not endorse a 2024 presidential candidate, breaking with tradition.
After Trump’s win, Bezos announced a shake-up to the Opinion section, saying the newspaper will “be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets.” Viewpoints opposing those topics would not be printed.
Bezos donated to Trump’s inauguration fund and attended the ceremony in January.
CBS News has found itself in a legal battle with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview the network aired with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign, as Trump alleges the network edited the piece in favor of the Democratic candidate.
What To Know
While speaking with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday, Clyburn was asked about his viewpoint that Democrats have the right message in the wake of losing the 2024 election, but the problem, he says, is the media.
“Well, sure, I don’t disagree with that but what lawmaker owns the airwaves, what lawmaker owns the newspapers,” Clyburn asked.
He continued: “And when I read that the ownership of newspapers—and I just read yesterday that the CBS’ 60 Minutes producer is quitting, why? Because the ownership seems to be curtailing his ability to produce his shows.”
Bill Owens, executive producer of the iconic news show 60 Minutes, announced his departure this week, according to the Associated Press (AP). It has “become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ’60 Minutes,’ right for the audience,” Owens said in a memo to all staff, the AP reports.
Clyburn continued, while responding to Collins, in part: “And they’re capitulating … It’s not all media, but significant portions of the media are in fact capitulating. A significant number of law firms are in fact capitulating. We have but one Constitution and we have but one country to represent. And so, when you decide that you are going to conduct yourself legally to the wishes of one autocrat, then you are not doing what I think ought to be done for the American people.”
Clyburn concluded, “I used to be in the newspaper business and so I know exactly what is expected of us and then I also know that there are some people in the business that’s not doing what they ought to do. My friend Mr. Montgomery has resigned from The Washington Post, Eugene Montgomery, I’ve known him and his family, they are right here in my congressional district. Why is he quitting? Because the owner of that newspaper is capitulating to this autocrat.”
The Democratic lawmaker was instrumental in securing former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, having endorsed him just days before the primary. Following his win in South Carolina, Biden later secured the Democratic nomination.
What People Are Saying
Marianne Williamson, activist and former Democratic primary candidate, on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday in reaction to Owens’ exit: “Good man. And shame on Paramount. My God, people!”
Political analyst Jeff Greenfield on X on Tuesday: “Whoever succeeds Bill Owens at ’60 Minutes’ will be under enormous pressure to somehow ‘prove’ that the program’s independence has not been fatally compromised.(1/2)”
Greenfield added, “(2/2) Owens has said flatly that the show was subject to pressure on behalf of corporate interests (a multi-billion dollar deal is in the hands of an FCC chair who is Trump’s loyal subject). How can CBS salvage the most successful, profitable show in broadcast news history?”
What Happens Next
It is unclear if lawmakers will continue to speak out against mainstream media networks in backlash to their handling of Trump.
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