When the recent riots in Los Angeles turned into chaos with looting, arson, and attacks on police, resulting in a curfew imposed by Democrats, the major news outlets had a rather peculiar narrative to share.
They leaned heavily on past incidents of the left’s violent outbursts, often misrepresenting the gravity of the situations. Regardless of how they framed it, the central message seemed to be that the riots were somehow “peaceful.” This was in stark contrast to the realities of burning vehicles and vandalized businesses, with even Mayor Karen Bass acknowledging the escalating situation. Here are seven notable moments reflecting this bizarre coverage.
1. “Peace”
Numerous outlets managed to insert the word “peace” into their descriptions of violent riots. For instance, The New York Times used “nearly peaceful” multiple times within a single article, while Reuters remarked that “most of it is peaceful.” On “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg characterized the atmosphere as “peaceful for several days.” CNN chimed in, suggesting that participants were initially there to protest “peacefully.” Such phrasing, even in the context of ongoing violence, seems almost farcical. NPR followed suit with “almost peaceful.” This sort of spin isn’t rare; the Media Research Center noted over 211 instances where CNN and MSNBC personalities echoed the “peaceful” line during coverage.
2. Civil War
In another moment of unusual commentary, “The View” grappled with the implications of deploying the National Guard, framing it as a potential “civil war.” Host Sunny Hostin cautioned about the risks this could pose, failing to acknowledge that security measures were a response to real threats. There was a suggestion, almost threatening, that upholding law and order might ignite a civil war, echoing a Marxist perspective that defiance against authority is justified.
3. Loco News
Another standout moment came from ABC7 Los Angeles, where anchor Jollyland, amidst live coverage, warned about the danger of police engagement rather than addressing the rioters themselves. He commented, quite oddly, that moving law enforcement incorrectly could disrupt the already unstable situation, as if to normalize the chaos unfolding.
4. Condemn Firefighters for Arson
In a rather bewildering segment, CNN anchor Dana Bash took to denouncing Trump while implying that the fire department’s swift response to emergency situations somehow absolved him of culpability. Notably, the city had faced significant arson incidents, raising questions about Bash’s critiques being misplaced or, perhaps, misguided.
5. Exaggeration
Brian Stelter of CNN made an effort to downplay the violence, insisting that life in Los Angeles remained largely unaffected despite the chaos. His dismissal of pressing issues like murder rates or wars seems to reflect a strange prioritization of narratives rather than an objective reportage of facts.
6. Macho, Macho Man
The media’s obsession with portraying California Governor Gavin Newsom as a stalwart figure in opposition to Trump has been relentless. “Morning Joe” presented him as a leader, while other outlets engaged in unnecessary embellishment about his toughness and commitment to progressive causes. The coverage if exaggerated, seems more about image than substance.
7. All News is Not Suitable for Printing
Finally, the editorial slant of major publications became apparent, as some called for military intervention in Los Angeles under the guise of addressing a supposed emergency. The reactions from Angelenos highlighted a disconnection, asserting that blaming Trump for the chaos while failing to recognize the on-ground realities only muddles the discussion.
