Apparently some political violence just isn’t that interesting, at least when conservatives are the victims. This is apparently what the CBS and MSNBC journalists believe. A man carrying a knife rushed onto the stage during Thursday’s speech by Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin in Rochester, New York. Before being tackled, the assailant tried to stabbing the Republican candidate for governor.
Yet, CBS allowed a scant 29 seconds on the shocking incident and MSNBC waited until 5:24AM on Friday to cover it — for 36 seconds.(Nothing for the 4-hour-long Morning Joe.)
ABC’s Good Morning America Friday’s time was slightly faster at 58 seconds. Reporter Andrew Dymburt explained, “A scary moment for Republican Lee Zeldin after he was almost stabbed at a campaign event in upstate New York yesterday. Now, Zeldin says he is okay and that he was able to fend off the attacker by grabbing his wrist until others tackled that suspect to the ground.”
But for some reason, Dymburt found it necessary to offer this extraneous detail: “Zeldin, a Republican Congressman Trump loyal ally, is currently challenging Democrat Kathy Hochul in New York’s governor’s race.” What does Zeldin’s support for Trump have to do with anything?
Dymburt also neglected to mention the assailant has already been released: “As for the attacker, he was arrested and now New York’s major crimes unit is investigating.”
NBC’s Today offered more time, a total of two minutes and five seconds, but didn’t get to the attack until 8:06 AM. Unlike Dymburt, at least, reporter Gabe Gutierrez at least noted that suspect David Jukubonis has been released: “Charging him with attempted assault in the second degree. He was later released on his own recognizance. “
This is something that Zeldin predicted on Thursday night. Early on Friday, he cited New York’s soft crime laws, tweeting: “Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes. The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY’s laws.”
CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King noted, “The suspect has been charged with attempted assault, and he’s been released.” In addition to CBS’s 29 seconds, there was this weird tweet from the network’s Face the Nation page:
Zeldin “said” that a man attacked him? The truth is not in question. There’s actual video footage of it.
It wasn’t until 5:24AM on Friday that MSNBC finally discovered the story. Jonathan Lemire was the host and mentioned it 36 seconds.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (Republican candidate for Governor of New York) was attacked while speaking at a campaign event in upstate yesterday. Zeldin is seen speaking with supporters, when an attacker climbed up onto Zeldin’s stage and began to wrestle the congressman. The man appears to grab Zeldin’s arm before the two fall on the ground as other people attempt to intervene. In a statement released after the attack Zelden stated that his running mate Alison Esposito and his campaign staff had all been safe. Zeldin’s campaign says the attacker was taken into custody and the Congressman continued his speech. That was an awful moment.
In June, the networks refused to say the name of the radical pro-abortion group Jane’s Revenge, an organization that has committed fire bombings and arson against pro-life pregnancy centers. Violence against conservatives and Republicans simply isn’t that interesting to journalists. So don’t believe them when they talk about the need for the press to expose radicals and extremists.
Simplisafe was the sponsor of MSNBC’s burying violence. Progressive insurance was a sponsor of the CBS program. You can click on these links to tell them what you think.
Below are transcripts. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS Mornings
7/22/2022
7.14 am ETGAYLE KING: A terrifying close call occurred last night on the New York campaign trail for Republican nominee for governor. Lee Zeldin was in Rochester speaking at a rally. A man came up to Zeldin and grabbed a razor blade. Zeldin then said “You are done.” Zeldin says he grabbed his wrist and restrained him before others could tackle the man. Nobody was injured. He was charged with attempted attack and released.
TONY DOKOUPIL — A terrible scene. It was a terrible scene.
Today
7/22/2022
8.06 am ETJACOB SOBEROFF: Yesterday was a terrifying moment on the campaign trail near Rochester. Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin was attacked on stage during an outdoor rally. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez is here with video of the incident. Gabe, Good Morning.
GABE GUTIERREZ – Jacob, good morning. Both sides of the aisle condemn the attack today. Zeldin is challenging incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul. According to witnesses, Zeldin was giving a speech about bail reform at the time that chaos broke out. .
LEE ZELDIN – This is New York’s final stand.
GUTIERREZ: A political campaign event taking a violent turn. In upstate New York, there was a confrontation between a Republican congressman and his gubernatorial opponent Lee Zeldin. The incident was captured by NBC affiliate WHEC. It shows Zeldin approaching on the stage of VFW Post near Rochester.
ZELDIN: There’s just one choice.
DAVID JAKUBONIS: [As he lunges with sharp object] You’re done! You’re done! You’re done!
GUTIERREZ: Holding a sharp-looking object in his hand, the man lunges at Zeldin, according to Zeldin’s campaign. Zeldin grabbing the man’s wrist before others intervened, tackling the man to the ground. The man was identified by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies as David Jakubonis, 43. Jakubonis is taken into custody by police, who cheered from the crowd. The second degree of attempted assault was the charge. The charges were dropped and he was released under his own responsibility. Following the scuffle, Zeldin went back on stage to finish his remarks later tweeting, “Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded.” While investigators have not confirmed a motive for the attack, the incident comes as actual or threatened violence against lawmakers is on the rise. More than 75 people were indicted since 2016 for threats to lawmakers, according to the New York Times.
SOBOROFF = Extremely frightening. Gabe, many thanks.
Good Morning America
7/22/2022
7:17 AM ETGEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS – Now for an attack against a New York congressman who is running to be governor. Andrew Dymburt reports that Representative Lee Zeldin was attacked during a campaign event. Good morning, Andrew.
ANDREW DYMBURT (Good morning George) After being almost stabbed yesterday at an event in Upstate New York, it was a scary moment for Republican Lee Zildin. Zeldin now says that he’s okay. He grabbed his wrist and fought off the assailant until the suspect was taken to ground. According to reports, the assailant climbed onto Zeldin’s stage and tried to stabbing him. Online video shows them falling to their deaths during an intense struggle while others attempted to stop them. Republican congressman Zeldin is a staunch Trump ally and currently challenges Democrat Kathy Hochul for the New York governor’s race. Zeldin, however, claims that he had only minor injuries. Following the terrifying ordeal Zeldin was able to continue his campaign speech. He was taken into custody and New York’s major criminal investigations unit are investigating. Guys.
It’s too early
7/22/2022
5:24 AM ET
JONATHAN LEMIRE : Yesterday was a bad day for Representative Lee Zeldin who is running as the Republican nominee to be governor of New York. He was speaking at a campaign event high upstate. Zeldin was speaking to supporters as a result of an attack by a man who climbed onto the stage and started wrestling with the congressman. The man appears to grab Zeldin’ arm before the two fall on the ground as other people attempt to intervene. In a statement released after the attack Zelden stated that his running mate Alison Esposito and his campaign staff had all been safe. Zeldin’s campaign says the attacker was taken into custody and the Congressman continued his speech. That was an awful moment.
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