FLASHBACK: Vile NBC Blamed Rush Limbaugh, Talk Radio for Oklahoma City Bombing

Journalists love to recite the most disgusting talking points in order to help a Democratic president. That’s true with Joe Biden and it was true 27 years ago this week with Bill Clinton. Clinton, facing an empowered Republican majority, decided to use the Oklahoma City bombing tragedy to paint Rush Limbaugh on radio talk and conservatives in a negative light. 

The 25th of April 1995 Today,Bryant Gumbel, then-cohost of the show, slurred the left and attributed culpability to the deaths on April 19,1995 of 168 persons: 

Oklahoma City’s bombing has brought renewed attention to the rhetoric coming from the left and those catering to angered white men. Although no one is suggesting right-wing radio DJs support violence, many observers including President Donald Trump are questioning the degree to which they foster violence. 

Gumbel teased the segment this way, being very clear about his implications: “When we come back, we’ll discuss the possible link between political violence and the angry rhetoric of talk radio.” 

The NBC host kept blaming Limbaugh, and other hosts: 

Talk show hosts from the right like Rush Limbaugh or Bob Grant, Oliver North or G. Gordon Liddy or Michael Reagan use the exact same format every day: describe a problem, assign blame to the government, invite criticisms and allow for invective by like-minded individuals. While most radio hosts don’t encourage violent behavior, it is clear that their opinions can be a problem.

Here’s what President Clinton said about talk radio: “They spread hate. They leave the impression that, by their very words, violence is acceptable.” Talking to guest Oliver North, Gumbel parroted the President’s smears: “What did you think of the President’s remarks yesterday and his suggestion that the rhetoric on the radio may be encouraging a climate of violence?” 

Gumbel played an incendiary line by G. Gordon Liddy and tried to hold North responsible. The then-talk radio host (and future NRA President) wasn’t having it: 

OLIVER NORTH Mr. Gumbel, you are not going to be asked to hold Dan Rather accountable for what he says or doesn’t say. And I’m not going to be held accountable for what other people say. I’m talking about my radio show and what I do on my show. 

BRYANT GUMBEL: Understood. Understood. Considering Liddy’s comment, another radio has told his listeners to get a gun and do something. One radio advocated for an armed revolution. I’m not holding you accountable. I am asking you if that’s justifiable on the airwaves? 

NORTH – I do not believe it is justified to make ad hominem comments on radio talk programs or any other medium. 

Twenty seven years on, the Democrats still have journalists doing their bidding and calling conservatives monsters. 

You can find more flashback examples in our Flashback Series, we call it the NewsBusters Time MachineClick here.

Below is a partial transcript. Click “expand” to read more. 

Today
4/25/1995
7:36 AM ET

BRYANT GUMBEL: When we come back, we’ll discuss the possible link between political violence and the angry rhetoric of talk radio. 

GUMBEL. Oklahoma City’s bombing has brought to light the rhetoric from right-leaning radio jocks and others who feed angry white men. Many observers, including President Donald Trump, are questioning whether right-wing radio jocks endorse violence. 

BILL CLINTON. They spread hatred. By their words they give the impression violence is okay. 

GUMBEL: Radio hosts of right-wing talk shows like Rush Limbaugh or Bob Grant or Oliver North and G. Gordon Liddy and Michael Reagan use basically the same format to air their programs: describe a problem, inflict blame on the government, and allow for invective by like-minded persons. While most radio hosts don’t encourage violent behavior, it is clear that their opinions can be a problem.

…

7.38 am ET

GUMBEL: Oliver North, Good Morning. 

OLIVER NORTH: Good morning, Bryant. 

GUMBEL: What did you think of the President’s remarks yesterday and his suggestion that the rhetoric on the radio may be encouraging a climate of violence? 

…
GUMBEL: Hold on for a second. Keep going for another second.

NORTH: Mr. Gumbel, you are not going to be asked to hold Dan Rather accountable for what he says or doesn’t say. And I’m not going to be held accountable for what other people say. I’m talking about my radio show and what I do on my show. 

GUMBEL: Understood. Understood. Considering Liddy’s comment, another radio has told his listeners to get a gun and do something. One radio advocated for an armed revolution. I’m not holding you accountable. I am asking you if that’s justifiable on the airwaves? 

NORTH: What I consider to be unjustifiable is the ad hominem attacks on radio talk shows or any other medium in which we would — and I’m quoting the President now. He’s talking about “in some ways taking away the civil liberties, a minor departure from America’s civil liberties traditions.” That, to me, is frightening.