As we told you yesterday, NBC News’ had a big scoop that the feds had wiretapped the phones of Donald Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen. The news gave the anti-Trump Resistance fresh hope for the downfall of his presidency. Just one problem: The “bombshell” was a dud:
'You SH*TTING me?' NBC, MSNBC issue '*HUGE* correction' to Michael Cohen wiretapping story https://t.co/mayWGa260T
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 4, 2018
NBC News’ intelligence & national security reporter Ken Dilanian not only shared the story, but couldn’t help doing a bit of one-word editorializing at the beginning:
Boom. Exclusive: Feds tapped Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's phones https://t.co/w9DD1a43jw via @nbcnews
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) May 3, 2018
That “boom” backfired big time.
Can't imagine why people don't trust the mainstream media when reporters tweet "boom" when there is news harmful to Trump, in this case completely fake news https://t.co/yxt1jB6kON
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) May 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/LDoren/status/992178024471777280
That’s impossible, because CNN’s Chris Cillizza said reporters never root for a side! *Eye roll*
How many rakes will you step on before you quit saying things like "Boom"?
— Currently between fraudulent suspensions (@jtLOL) May 4, 2018
Gee in hindsight, this "boom" seems a lot like spiking the ball at the 3 yard line.
— Shane Styles (@shaner5000) May 4, 2018
Boom. Goes. The. Dynamite. pic.twitter.com/ssiLjcu52s
— RightWired (@_donaldson) May 3, 2018
the "Boom" is especially important when you are signalling how unbiased you are when reporting "fake news". https://t.co/0Bc6o1EJuE
— AppyPollyOllyGees (@PollySpin) May 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/chg_crse/status/992396924761362432
After his original excitement, Dilanian was among journos trying to defuse the original fake news, post-boom:
NBC News has corrected its story: Michael Cohen's phones were being monitored by a pen register, not a wiretap, senior U.S. officials say. Pen registers capture "to and from" calling and texting information, but not content.
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) May 3, 2018
But NBC News’ embarrassment (and Dilanian’s “Boom” fail) haven’t stopped him from retweeting accusations like this about others this morning:
Um, WHO is facing new credibility questions!?
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