Column: CNN Finds ‘So Many of Us’ Love Jill Biden

In May of 2017, CNN boss Jeff Zucker gave an interview to the “New Yorker Radio Hour” and made waves by proclaiming “Fox is state-run TV, and is extolling the line out of White House. MSNBC has become the opposition, and I think CNN is seeking the truth.” There wasn’t a laugh track.

In 2022, it’s quite obvious that CNN can now be accused of sounding like state-run TV.    

Pamela Brown of CNN, whose father John Brown was Kentucky’s Democrat governor, robotically scanned a Jill Biden tweet on February 27. She introduced it like this: “Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States addressed anxiety many people feel about the ongoing war in Ukraine and the uncertainty of the future.” She can speak for “so many of us,” if she’s talking about CNN’s audience full of Democrats.

Then Brown spent nearly a minute and a half reading 198 florid First Lady words (duplicated on screen) about how parents and teachers and military families are coping, and where to find mental-health resources, and how “Joe and I continue to pray for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.” CNN White House reporter Kate Bennett also had a brief article about this on CNN.com.

Pamela Brown, CNN anchor from Kentucky (D-Ky.), sounds like state-run media. “First Lady Jill Biden addressed our anxiety about the current war in Ukraine and uncertainty regarding the future ….” pic.twitter.com/65QhjBWuXI

— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) February 28, 2022

The Russians are bombing Ukraine, and CNN wants you to feel grateful that we have the Bidens in the White House to help us cope with the disturbing results of the president’s geopolitical fecklessness.

The robot messaging for Team Jill was continued over the following afternoon. CNN White House reporter Kevin Liptak tweeted: “The White House says Jill Biden wore this mask with a sunflower today to show support for the Ukrainian people. It’s the national flower of Ukraine and has become a symbol of resistance to Russian invasion”.

Less than a half-hour later, his colleague Kate Bennett seconded that emotion: “@FLOTUS face mask today features a large embroidered sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, in solidarity. (Her polka dot ensemble is by designer Brandon Maxwell)”.

Bennett sounds like she’s tweeting for Vogue. Brandon Maxwell is known for dressing Lady Gaga and judging on Lifetime’s reality show Project Runway

There are 24 articles pictured on Kate Bennett’s profile page as I write. They are half about the Bidens and the other half about Trump. There is a stark difference in the tone.

Below are some Jill Biden headlines.

    – “Jill Biden’s whirlwind first year as the President’s eyes and ears across America”
    – “Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States calls for healing”
    – “Elizabeth Dole teams up with Jill Biden to emphasize military caregiving”
     

There’s also an article each on the new Biden puppy, and later the new Biden cat. Compare that to Bennett’s most recent Melania headlines:

    – “Melania Trump makes digital paintings of her eyes”
    – “Melania Trump’s hat auction has even those who know her scratching their heads”
    – “Melania Trump’s auction items fail to bring desired price”

Last year around this time, Bennett was touting how “the new First Lady is redefining the role of the White House’s East Wing,” which is false. She’s returning it to the Michelle Obama model, with not quite the Michelle Obama level of idol worship. Oh, Jill put big colorful hearts on the White House lawn for Valentine’s Day! Bennett gushed “I remember seeing those hearts throughout the lawn all week long. It really brought a smile to so many people’s faces.”

There they go again, that “so many people” are cheered and charmed by Jill Biden. The apples in the “Facts First” commercials have been replaced with the image of CNN planting Valentine’s hearts on the White House lawn.