Nets Ignore Report That Biden Admin Refused Offer to Secure COVID Tests

The network’s evening news broadcasts ignored Monday’s report Vanity Fair published alleging the Biden Administration rejected a “10-page plan” from numerous public health institutions to help purchase and distribute Covid tests back in October. Katherine Eban, the editor of the magazine, wrote that the “Testing Surge” was recommended to prevent holiday COVID Surge nationwide.

All three newscasts are available CBS Evening News, ABC World News TonightPlease see the following: NBC Nightly News covered the spike in cases from the new Omicron variant and the shortage of test kits, only Fox News’ Special ReportI mentioned the shocking report from Vanity Fair.

They were in their A-block CBS Evening News correspondent Nancy Chen said that while long lines at testing centers around the country continue, she was quick to urge viewers that “President Biden said more testing is becoming available, but admitted it’s still not fast enough.”

CBS made the President appear almost as if he was merely watching, unable to do anything but watch the events unfold. Chen then played a clip of Biden telling America’s Governors that “there is no federal solution. This gets solved at state level.” CBS has never even mentioned it. Vanity Fair report.

Down the television dial at almost the exact same time as CBS’s report, ABC national correspondent Marcus Moore recapped Biden’s meeting with the nation’s governors. World News Tonight played remarks by the President admitting more work needed to be done on the testing front:

MOORE: President Barack Obama acknowledged today that Americans needed more Covid tests in a meeting with governors.

BIDEN – Seeing the difficulty for some people to take a test on this weekend is a sign that there’s more to be done and we are working hard at it.

Moments later, Moore reported on the White House’s plan to “send out 500 million free test kits starting next month.”It was also not mentioned that the Biden administration rejected an October offer to assist with their purchase and distribution.

In stark contrast to how the networks covered the Biden Administration’s handling of the Covid testing shortages, Fox’s Special ReportOver two and a quarter minutes was spent on the Vanity Fair Bombshell Report, which Fox News’ senior national correspondent Rich Edson reported on:

The Harvard T.H. The Rockefeller Foundation and the Chan School of Public Health pitched the government in October, offering a plan for securing hundreds of millions of test results. They will be sent to Americans, which could help curb a holiday Covid surge. It was no thanks, then. According to Vanity Fair, this is the truth.

The White House denied the claim, but it is interesting that these networks wouldn’t report on a story similar to this. They were often quick reporting on negative stories about Trump Administration.

These are the latest instances of bias by omission brought to your attention by Prevagen(CBS) Febreze (ABC). CBS has also asked you to text CBS’s Nora O’Donnell at (202) 217-1107.

To read the relevant transcripts of each segment click “expand”:

CBS Evening News

12/27/21

6:34.22 PM

NANCY CHEN (CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT): As long lines persist around the country, President Biden said more testing is becoming available but admitted it’s still not fast enough. The President urged Governors of the United States to get help.

JOE BIDEN – There is no federal solution. It is solved at the level of each state.

ABC World News Tonight

12/27/21

6.34.26 pm

MARCUS MOORE: The President met with Governors to discuss the need for more covid test.

JOE BIDEN – Seeing the difficulty for people to pass the test this weekend proves that there is more to be done and we are doing our best.

(…)

6.34.57 pm

MOORE: 500 Million test kits will be sent free of charge by the White House starting next month.

BIDEN: We have to do more. We must do more. We will.

Special Report

12/27/21

6.04:09 pm

BRET BAIER – President Biden, his covid response team and the Governors of the United States met today via video conference to discuss the Omicron variant and how best to address it. Even though the White House has rejected an idea to speed up holiday testing, the President says that the administration’s covid strategy is still working. A new report also claims that President Biden does not sound like candidate Biden regarding dealing with Covid federally. Rich Edson is the White House’s senior correspondent.

JOE BIDEN : Seeing just how difficult it was to take the test this weekend shows we still have a lot to learn.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN : Is it you?

RICHEDSON: Many Americans find covid tests difficult to locate or end up in a long, drawn-out line.

DOCTOR JHA : Unfortunately, we don’t have sufficient tests. This is something that should have been done for several months. I am disappointed at where the country is right now.

EDSON: President Biden says his administration is prepared for this omicron-powered surge though he’s admitted the federal government should have purchased more testing two months ago.

BIDEN

EDSON: Although a group composed of Harvard T.H. officials was present, EDSON is not the only one. The Rockefeller Foundation and Chan School of Public Health presented the government in October with plans to obtain hundreds of millions of test results. To stop a possible holiday-covid surge, send them to Americans. No thanks from the White House. According to Vanity Fair, that’s the truth. White House officials claim the report isn’t grounded in reality. They also argue that there was not enough production capacity for October. As he was leaving the White House, the President denied receiving the report.

UNIDENTIFIED RECORDER: Why did President Biden reject a holiday-testing surge in October from your administration? Do you think the surge is your fault?

BIDEN: We didn’t reject it.

EDSON: According to the administration, 500 million home tests will be ordered for Americans who can request them online. It isn’t yet online, and tests are likely to be sent out in the next month.

ANTHONY FAUCI: The testing issue is being addressed and will soon be rectified.

EDSON: The President spoke to Governors this morning and stressed that local officials were responsible for managing the surge. It is clear that there is no federal solution. He says that this is solved at the level of each state. Biden stated again in that meeting that Americans who are not vaccinated should get them and avoid the hospital. Bret?