PBS, a taxpayer-funded broadcasting network, included an “inflammatory rhetoric” cautionary note in its streaming of former President Donald Trump’s speech following his arraignment on federal charges in Miami on Tuesday.
During the streaming of Trump’s speech, PBS continuously displayed “context” banners at the bottom of the screen. The banners specifically addressed Trump’s remarks concerning the 2020 presidential election and allegations of corruption involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
“Experts warn that inflammatory rhetoric from elected officials or people in power can prompt individual actors to commit acts of violence,” one warning read.
Just gonna file this one away until 2025… ✂️✂️✂️
“PBS Slaps Banner on Trump Live Event That Proves State Media Cannot Be Trusted” https://t.co/0YX6HY5gb5
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) June 14, 2023
The warning was put up just after the 45th president promised to “totally obliterate the deep state” if re-elected. “They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom,” Trump said as the context warning graphic continued to be shown on the screen. “They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you.”
Furthermore, an additional context warning appeared when Trump made reference to the allegation that the Bidens were involved in a $5 million bribery scheme related to Ukraine.
“A House Republicans panel’s investigation into Hunter Biden revealed little new information. A federal investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes and foreign business connections is ongoing,” the label noted.
On Monday, Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, stated that a foreign national asserted possession of 17 recordings containing conversations with the Bidens pertaining to the alleged bribery scheme — 15 featuring Hunter Biden and two with Joe Biden, he said.
When Trump began talking about the Hillary Clinton email scandal, PBS claimed that the FBI “found no evidence she intended to break the law” when she installed a private, unsecured email server in her New York home, through which classified information passed.
The outlet, which relies on approximately 15 percent of its revenue from taxpayers, also published “context” information citing federal election officials who affirmed that the 2020 presidential election was “the most secure in American history.”
The response came after Trump alleged that the Justice Department investigations against him were another endeavor to “rig and steal a presidential election.”
Other networks said they wouldn’t air Trump’s remarks because they claimed he is “dangerous.”
