Nearly a dozen media pundits, mostly from the New York Times as well as CNN and the Huffington Post, deliberately misrepresented an edited quote from President Trump during a conference call with several governors over the response to the coronavirus, as Breitbart reports.
On the call, President Trump was discussing the subject of medical equipment that would be needed to test for and treat the coronavirus, including “respirators” and “ventilators.” The President then suggested that the states “try getting it yourselves,” before adding “we will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
In response, at least eight reporters from the New York Times took to Twitter to share only the first half of President Trump’s quote, ending it simply at “try getting it yourselves.” The eight reporters in question are Julie Bosman, Mara Gay, Peter Baker, Mike Baker, Michael Cooper, Sharon LeFraniere, Clifford Levy, and Aaron Carroll. The talking point was subsequently repeated by CNN’s Oliver Darcy.
Despite facing widespread backlash on social media, none of the individuals in question have deleted their tweets or issued retractions or apologies.