CBS Hypes Good Economic News For Biden While NBC Plays Skeptic

With 2021 quickly drawing to a close, and Americans beginning to travel for Christmas and tuning out the news, CBS decided Wednesday night was one of their few chances to effectively spin for the Biden Administration before the New Year. This is a part of the A-block. CBS Evening News was quick to parrot White House talking points that U.S. consumer confidence rose to its highest levels since July, but only briefly mentioned inflation as an afterthought.

Fill-in host Jamie Yuccas enthusiastically told viewers that the Biden Administration would be extending the moratorium on student loan payments for another six months, before passing the segment off to the network’s chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett to tell viewers this very important news: “The White House said today– and this is a direct quote– it had saved Christmas.” Garrett then clarified the White House’s remarks by saying “meaning fears of empty or nearly empty store shelves simply haven’t materialized.”

He also let viewers know that “Biden said store shelves are at 90 percent capacity, and he said Americans should have no trouble finding whatever they need for the holidays.” Garrett did hedge later in his report by saying that inflation is still around and the Omicron variant is still hampering the economy.

Garrett announced that the Biden Administration has granted 40 million Americans with student loans an immediate 90-day grace period to pay off student loan debt. Adding that May 1 will be when loan payments are due to be paid again.

Over on NBC Nightly News, Anchor Lester Holt was much more skeptical of the Biden Administration’s claims that the economy was improving and the supply chain crisis is over.

In a news brief that lasted just twenty-six seconds, Holt reported:

While there are bottlenecks, delays and log jams, President Biden today tried to project an optimistic view on the American supply chain. He claimed that a crisis has never occurred after talking with business leaders. The President stated that package are moving and gift are being delivered. FedEx chief acknowledged that some supply chain problems are still unresolved, but he is optimistic Santa will deliver most of his products.

For the second night in a row, NBC covered a story more fairly than their third-place rival CBS. NBC reported the White House’s claims, then reported on a contradictory statement from another source, in this case, FedEx.

Journalism 101. Bravo to NBC. CBS gets coal for Christmas. 

CBS running cover for the Biden Administration’s economic failures was brought to you by GeicoAnd Febreze. The following link contains their contact information. 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
12/22/2021
6:39:44pm

JAMIE YUCCAS : America’s future economic prospects look a lot brighter today. U.S. consumer confidence has reached its highest point since July. More people are planning on making big purchases or going on vacation within the next six-months. Americans with student loans have some relief. Major Garrett, CBS News’ correspondent is present at the White House. Major, The White House updated us on the situation with the supply chain before the holidays. We need your input on this.

MAJOR GARRETT – It certainly did. Jamie, good evening. Today, the White House stated that it saved Christmas. Meaning fears of empty or nearly empty store shelves simply haven’t materialized. Biden claimed that 90% of the shelves in stores are full and that Americans should not have difficulty finding holiday gifts. However, inflation is still a problem and Omicron, at one level, continues to haunt the U.S. Economy. Therefore, the administration gave some relief today, by giving 90-days extension of the long-running pause for student loans repayments. Jamie, that pause will continue through May 1.  

NBC Nightly News
12/22/2021
7:13:33pm

LESTER HOLTS: Despite bottlenecks and log jams and delays today, President Biden attempted to present an optimistic picture of America’s supply chain. After speaking with business leaders, Biden stated that packages were moving and gifts are being delivered, as well as shelves not empty. FedEx’s head acknowledged that not all supply chain problems were solved, but he was hopeful most Santa’s gifts will be delivered.