CBS Avoids Criticism of Biden Testing Flop

The Biden Administration was apparently caught by surprise when the Omicron variant spread rapidly across the country. CBS Evening News worked to run cover their friends in the White House by avoiding any mention of Biden’s COVID failures.

In a report by CBS political correspondent Ed O’Keefe on the skyrocketing cases of Omicron, he only mentioned Biden’s new plan to fight the virus, and skipped any mention of his past failures. He also ignored the Biden Administration’s rejection of the idea to ship COVID test kits to Americans. 

The president has announced that 500 million home testing kits will be distributed next month to help with the growth of testing lines across the nation. These kits can also be ordered online at no cost. New federal testing centers will open nationwide, the first being in New York City.

The CBS segment lasted just 16 seconds. In contrast, NBC Nightly NewsI spent 1 minute 11 seconds discussing the Biden Administration’s backtracking regarding its distribution plans for testing, and their inability to combat the spread Omnicron.

GABE GUTIERREZ. The president is under increasing pressure to help states that have overburdened their hospitals. He also announced that his administration would distribute 500 million COVID home tests free of charge to anyone who requests one. To help hospitals that are short of staff, the President will also deploy a thousand military personnel and open new testing facilities.

NBC then aired a conversation between Mara Liasson, NPR’s national political correspondent and Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary about shipping COVID test results to Americans who require them.

MARA LIASSON [on 12/06/21]: Why not just make em’ free, and have them available everywhere? 

JEN PSAKI [on 12/06/21]: Do we send only one American to each?

LIASSON [on 12/06/21]You might like:

PSAKI [on 12/06/21]If every American had one, what would happen? What is the cost of this test and what are the consequences? 

After playing that exchange, Gutierrez aired an separate back-and-forth from earlier in the day between PBS Anchor Yamiche Alcindor and Biden over whether the administration was caught off guard: 

YAMICHE ALCIINDOR: How do you tell Americans to get tested, and not get tested? And who wonders why it has taken so long for testing to be ramped up.

BIDEN – Come on! It took me so much time. 

ALCINDOR, I’m hearing this from those who want to be tested before the holiday season.

BIDEN Omicron virus was spread faster than anyone thought.

The contrast between CBS and NBC’s coverage was striking. If CBS was looking to stay on Biden’s good side, they sure did a good job on that front. NBC also did a very rare feat of journalism. We like to give credit where it’s due here at NewsBusters. 

CBS running cover for the Biden Administration’s COVID failures was brought to you by ProgressiveAnd Vicks. You can find their contact information here. CBS has also asked you to text CBS Evening News Anchor Nora O’Donnell at this number:(202) 217-1107

To read the relevant transcripts of both segments click “expand”: 

CBS Evening News
12/21/2021
6:36:15 p.m.

ED O’KEEFE: With growing testing lines around the country, the President announced plans to distribute 500 million at-home testing kits next month, available for order online for free. New federal testing locations will also be opened nationwide, including the New York City location.

NBC Nightly News
12/21/2021
7:03:06 p.m.

GABE GUTIERREZ. The president is under increasing pressure to help states that have overburdened their hospitals. He also announced that his administration would distribute 500 million COVID home tests free of charge to anyone who requests one. To help hospitals that are short of staff, the President will also deploy a thousand military personnel and open new testing facilities.

JOE BIDDEN, PRESIDENT: It’s easier than ever to be tested.

GUTIERREZ,: It comes only two weeks after Jen Psaki (White House Press Secretary) downplayed that more home tests are needed.

MARA LIASSON [on 12/06/21]: Why not just make em’ free, and have them available everywhere?

JEN PSAKI [on 12/06/21]: Do we send one American to everyone?

LIASSON [on 12/06/21]You might like:

PSAKI [on 12/06/21]If every American had one, what would happen? What is the cost of this test and what are the consequences?

GUTIERREZ – Today, the President was asked if his government was under surveillance.

YAMICHE ALCIINDOR: Your message to Americans trying to get tested right now, but who have not been able to and are curious about why it took so long for testing to be ramped up

BIDEN – Come on! It took me so much time.

ALCINDOR – I’m hearing this from people trying to have their blood tested right now, before the holidays.

BIDEN : The thing that took so long was it really didn’t take much. Omicron virus was spread faster than anyone thought.