CNN Cues Failed Atlanta Mayor to Bash Trump, Ignores Murder Surge

On Saturday, CNN viewers got to see a pre-recorded interview with the outgoing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in which the failed Democratic leader was allowed to boast about her criticisms of President Donald Trump with very little scrutiny from weekend morning and afternoon CNN NewsroomFredricka Whitfield talks to Fredricka about her failing record, which led her to drop out of the race for a second term.

Never was it mentioned that the murder rate of the city doubled over her four-year tenure (compared to 29 percent nationwide) as she was allowed to gloss over her handling of the aftermath of the police-involving death of Rayshard Brooks.

Part of the interview took place during the 11:01 a.m. hour. mWhitfield recalls that Bottoms’s leadership was challenged with many challenges. Whitfield asked Whitfield about her experiences and what they had taught her.

After the Atlanta Democrat boasted that she is “resilient,” and quoted Maya Angelou and Audre Lorde in tooting her own horn, Whitfield was then seen inviting her to boast about her criticism of President Trump:

How did you learn anything about the nation or the city? You were quickly recognized as not only a leader in your municipality but also as the leader of the nation. Let’s not forget, especially during Trump’s administration, when he called you out on numerous occasions. On several occasions, he targeted cities — regardless of whether it was immigration. You took a stand and said you would not house U.S. Customs and Enforcement inmates.

After showing a clip of Mayor Bottoms from 2018 complaining about the Trump administration separating illegal immigrant families at the border, Whitfield posed: “And you also stood up to the President when he called Atlanta ‘crime infested,’ as though termites or rodents had infested the city. “How did you manage that?”

Bottoms responded by bragging that she had confronted a “bully” by speaking out against the Republican President:

America may have seen that I was tougher than America thought. Many times we judge people on the basis of what we perceive about them. For leaders in this country, it was difficult to face Donald Trump’s criticisms of Atlanta. It wasn’t hard for me to address that. When faced with bullies, you must confront them. It is important to confront bullies, but it’s not always easy.

Whitfield asked her Democratic guest, in a second part of the interview, if she would do anything different.

As Bottoms declared that she did the best she could under the circumstances, a clip of her was shown recalling that the police chief had resigned over the incident in which she also called for the police officer, Garrett Rolfe, who fired the deadly shot be fired.

Rolfe sued the mayor after he was fired for terminating his employment. Mayor Bottoms had even prejudged the officer’s actions by claiming in the aftermath that it was a “murder.” She also rushed to judge a few cops that had confronted two college students and brutally tased them a few weeks before during violent protests.

Viewers were also not informed that the number of homicides per year in the city rose from 80 in 2017 (the year before Bottoms took office) to 157 in 2020, and more than 150 so far in 2021.

Walmart sponsored CNN’s permission for a Democratic failed politician to change her record. The link provides their contact information.

Transcript is as follows. To read more, click “expand”.

CNN Newsroom with Fredericka Whifield
December 18, 2021
Eastern, 11:18

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD: It also means that your leadership was tested. What do you suppose your leadership role teaches you about — or has taught you about yourself?

MAYOR KEISHA LEONBOTTOMS: (D–ATLANTA): This is why I am resilient. Like our nation, our country too is resilient. And there are moments when you don’t script, but within you and within all of us, I think it’s really the strength and the courage to face those moments. Maya Angelou said, “I did what I knew I should have done.” And you can do more when you are better. That’s exactly what these last four years have been all about. Although it hasn’t always been an ideal leadership style, however, whatever comes my way I’ve tried to do the best I can in each moment. As Audrey Lord stated, I know that I am deliberate, fearless, and able to handle any situation.

WHITFIELD – What do you think the country and city have learned about you over time? You were quickly recognized as not only a leader in a local municipality but also as the leader of the nation. Let’s not forget, especially, the Trump administration. He singled out you on numerous occasions. He singled out cities on several occasions — whether it was about immigration — you took a stand, saying you refuse to house U.S. Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement detainees.

BOTTOMS (dated 21 June 2018:) We as a country are much better than that. Separating families is not better.

WHITFIELD What did you do?

BOTTOMS – Well, America sees that I am a lot more tough than I appear. Many times we make judgments about people based upon what we perceive — not what we actually know. Leaders across the nation had to be able to take on the role of leader in the absence Donald Trump. For someone to criticize Atlanta, the leadership, the people and their leaders, in the same way that he disparaged a lot many cities, a lot more countries, and a lot more leaders, it wasn’t difficult for us to confront this. When faced with bullies, you must confront them. You face the bully and, often, the bully will not back down.

WHITFIELD. What were your thoughts?

BOTTOMS Growing up — Having the advantage of being an African American kid in Atlanta. People who look just like you are leaders. You also see extraordinary people. It never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t be brave or capable of doing extraordinary things. You see them all around you, my teachers, my grandparents, my parents and even the mayor. These people were part of the community. That’s what makes Atlanta such a beautiful city. That’s why I am so happy that, in the same manner as my childhood, I was able emulate the magic of Atlanta and that it still inspires people around the nation.

WHITFIELD: You are the daughter of R&B icon Major Lance and your mom, who is a hair stylist and hair salon owner, Sylvia Robinson. Your DNA was set up to express yourself and to prepare. Do you ever feel that you are drawing on the legacy of your parents? It was because you had endured so much. It is a joy to remember our parents, because they are the result of all their greatness.

BOTTOMS: Yes.

WHITFIELD – How do your parents feel that you have gotten some guidance from them in handling these matters?

BOTTOMS. What I saw in my mother’s eyes and the women coming to her salon was that they were all women facing everyday challenges, but still managed to look good on the outside. They went out, did their best for their families and communities. When times were very difficult, I thought about his words to me. You can see yourself in the mirror, even on your worst day. And you don’t let anyone see that you have any sweat. This is what I’ve had to do in my leadership roles. When the people or city is in crisis and need leadership, I can stand up confidently and state that although we may not know all of the answers, this is our plan. And this is how it will end. My mother, and my father are with me. My dad is still with me. Their representation, just their belief and faith in our potential city — it’s why I can serve as mayor.