Earlier this month I couldn't help but make a mockery out of CNN's attempted fact-check on House Oversight Republicans' allegations against President Biden. Three CNN alleged journalists took the tried and true "true but false" approach. This is just one example from that story:
Claim: Biden family and associates got $20 million through shell companies
“Bank records show that nearly $20 million in payments were directed to the Biden family members and associates through various shell companies,”
McCarthy said. Facts First: This is true about Joe Biden’s family and associates, but there is no public evidence to date that the president personally received any money.
Since Republicans took control of the House in January and obtained subpoena power, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed six banks for information regarding specific Biden family business associates to investigate the money trail behind the Biden family’s foreign business dealings. The committee has not yet subpoenaed bank records from Biden family members themselves.
The phrase “Biden family” is doing a lot of work for McCarthy – because none of these records confirm any direct payments to Joe Biden or show that he was directly involved in Hunter Biden’s business arrangements.
You'll notice the fun little trick that was played there. CNN listed an original claim but fact-checked something a bit different. But of course, CNN isn't the only media outlet that likes to use the "true but false" method.
The New York Times was spotted doing just that when fact-checking something GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said about transgenderism. Look at this doozy:
Doesn't this NYT fact-check sort of back up what Vivek said, not disprove it? pic.twitter.com/7SFxgneXEu
— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) September 28, 2023
Did you read that carefully? The New York Times (and the "fact-checker" who wrote that) certainly hope you didn't give it a close look.
Apparently NYT factchecker has a hostile relationship with the truth. Pathological even. LOL
— keyboard jockey (@keyboardjockey1) September 28, 2023
It's said often, but no matter how much disdain you have for the mainstream media, it's not enough.
"The Duke Boys Are Getting Away"
— mitrebox (@mitrebox) September 28, 2023
Fact Check: This is False
The bridge is out and there is a large dirt ramp placed next to the shallow stream. https://t.co/6appFRGiBt
FALSE!!!!
— Drink that weed, smoke that liquor (@Remy_Be_Tweetin) September 28, 2023
...but kinda true a little bit https://t.co/bFYBhB22UX
The media -- and not just the New York Times -- knows how the "false (but true)" game is played, and it's always in favor of the Democrats. If "journalism" isn't dead it's certainly on life support.
