Writing the word “lied” is apparently so time-consuming, that in their effort to get a headline out the door, it simply can’t be accommodated. Otherwise it’s difficult to excuse this breaking, big scoop headline from the Associated Press.
BREAKING: Trump says officials at FBI 'were plotting against my election'.
Or this tweet from the New York Times
President Trump said the IG report proved there had been FBI bias against him ahead of the 2016 presidential election, citing “vicious” texts” between investigators and findings that he said illustrate “criminal” behavior by James Comey
Or the Associated Press … again.
The Latest: President Trump says the Justice Department watchdog report on the Clinton email probe shows the FBI was biased against him "at the top level" and was "plotting against my election."
Thanks guys. Just … thanks. Because, yes, Donald Trump did say those things. But none of them was true. Not one. In fact, what the Inspector General’s report showed was that there was no political bias behind the actions taken by the FBI and it did not reveal any “plot” against Trump. But by blasting Trump’s words out without bothering to mention that they are total fabrications, the media provides an echo chamber for Trump. It does not have to be this way. One moment’s thought, and ten seconds time, can result in a headline or tweet that relays the facts, rather than reinforcing the lie that Trump is trying to spread.
For many people, those headlines and tweets are all they will ever see of the story. For many people, the AP and New York Times just said that what Trump claimed is true.
Taking another example from this morning’s headlines at MSNBC
Trump calls IG report 'horror show', blames Dems for separations
Contrast with the headline for an article dealing with the exact same statement at CNN.
Trump again falsely blames the Democrats for his administration's family separations
Really. Is that so hard?