CNN's Keilar Ripped for Objecting to Marines At Biden Speech
By: Tommy Christopher (Mediaite)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar faced a blizzard of backlash for a tweet complaining about Marine guards positioned behind President Joe Biden during his speech — including from Biden's White House.
On Thursday night, the president delivered a speech entitled "The Continued Battle for the Soul of the Nation" that was largely a rebuke of former President Donald Trump and those who support the insurrection that culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6.
But during the speech, Keilar objected to the optics of the Marines standing behind Biden at Philadelphia's Independence Hall.
"Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It's wrong when Democrats do it. It's wrong when Republicans do it," Keilar wrote.
Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It's wrong when Democrats do it. It's wrong when Republicans do it.
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) September 2, 2022
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates , a sharp-elbowed presence on Twitter, was among the political, media, and other figures who pushed back on Keilar's complaint on the basis that the speech was "not political."
Bates used ostensibly non-opinion CNN stories on the "GOP threats to democracy" as evidence:
Except it's not political. In the same way CNN isn't political but has made the same warnings.
"Jake Tapper breaks down GOP threats to democracy" https://t.co/2EEGwR173D
"An Arizona Trump rally and voting rights march underscore the fight for democracy" https://t.co/pX3vxDlvUhhttps://t.co/NrBtZqxXL6
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) September 2, 2022
And White House Deputy Press Secretary Chris Meagher wrote that "Democracy is not a partisan or political issue."
Democracy is not a partisan or political issue. https://t.co/EgBfFoVl2s
— Chris Meagher (@chrismeagher46) September 2, 2022
White House Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty pushed back on a similar criticism from Steve Portnoy:
i meanhttps://t.co/ItSrycEVEQpic.twitter.com/a60yFRsMkH
— Rob Flaherty (@RFlaherty46) September 2, 2022
Others responded along similar lines, as well as pointing to what they posed were more egregious examples of Trump using military members in such a fashion, while some saw the influence of new CNN chief Chris Licht :
This photo is from a speech in which Trump accused Democratic members of congress of hating the country, but sure thing. https://t.co/fKIwp5GLgqpic.twitter.com/ZYTXxIgOCc
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) September 2, 2022
Traditions broken… https://t.co/ETVFi316QBpic.twitter.com/CZOio5Zcii
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) September 2, 2022
https://t.co/9eH1RHgGDZpic.twitter.com/xg4TWr6AMm
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) September 2, 2022
Brianna is hoping Chris Licht reads this tweet and gives her the 9 PM https://t.co/9eH1RHgGDZpic.twitter.com/v95TDT13U5
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) September 2, 2022
What Marines behind Biden? They're not even in the frame. So it's their generic presence in the general area that is generating such vapors? https://t.co/xHdqz2ePexpic.twitter.com/tPxPv10rxY
— Markos Moulitsas (@markos) September 2, 2022
when you are defending democracy in the face of anti-american fascism, you can use marines https://t.co/HcaaCFoXyF
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) September 2, 2022
I am a veteran and I consider President Biden's speech to be patriotic. Republicans declared war against us on Janurary 6th, and they continue to attack what America stands for. They defend a criminal who stolen classified documents, they act like America's enemy. https://t.co/WxjK8G5Unv
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) September 2, 2022
Oh, Brianna. Identifying a threat to our democracy and calling for republicans, independents and democrats to unite against an ideology of violence and anti democracy is not a political speech. He condemned the ideology that led to what you see here. That is not politics. pic.twitter.com/bCOGxcvzgS
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 2, 2022
You gotta be kidding me. This kind of rhetoric is just another example of a CNN commentator carrying the new banner forward to keep their job. https://t.co/g80Z7zuQ9a
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) September 2, 2022
JOE BIDEN: Our democracy is under attack from anti-democratic authoritarians trying to take away your rights.
CNN, after taking a ballpeen hammer to the head: Let's focus all our attention on whether or not this was a political speech. You know, to be "less partisan." https://t.co/pX1chPjKv7
— Matt Ortega (@MattOrtega) September 2, 2022
The new CNN is trying super hard to be "fair and balanced" and Brianna doesn't want the axe https://t.co/wE5VJPGpNU
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) September 2, 2022
More evidence of what I was reporting on earlier this week @realDailyWire. New CNN bosses have told the on-air staff it's time to stop acting like Democrat party operatives. https://t.co/jHvjXdNitAhttps://t.co/BqPg7zj5j6
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) September 2, 2022
There were some who agreed with Keilar:
Hilarious all the libs Brianna gained over the last five years are losing their minds at het take and any attempt to moderate under the new CNN. https://t.co/AioP6t67q6
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 2, 2022
Brianna Keilar is quite concerned about CNN's terrible ratings.
She just gave Republicans a whiplash with her first Biden criticism. https://t.co/Cu0GRSDOGb
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) September 2, 2022
100% correct. https://t.co/CParh4HU8F
— Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) September 2, 2022
@brikeilarcnn is 100% right here. https://t.co/DUntYXn559
— Allison Jaslow (@jaslow) September 2, 2022
Correct https://t.co/yhCOmAK7in
— Larry O'Connor (@LarryOConnor) September 2, 2022
The backlash was severe enough that Keilar mentioned it on Friday morning's edition of CNN's New Day , and doubled down while interviewing a military veteran with similar qualms.
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Filed Under: Brianna KeilarChris LichtChris MeagherDonald TrumpIndependence HallJoe BidenMAGARob Flaherty Previous PostNext Post Previous PostNext Post
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Calling something "political" implies there are two legitimate sides to the story. There is no legitimacy to the "MAGA" crowd that worships trump, flocks to his rallies, and invades the US Capitol building.
The media is doing a great disservice to the country by propagating the nonsense that the Trump cult following is normal "politics".
Clearly this was a political speech. Labor Day marks the beginning of the finale campaigning for the 2022 elections, and Biden didn't confine his remarks to a threat on democracy. He got the abortion issue in early, covered legislative accomplishments on infrastructure investment, gun-control, prescription drug pricing and climate change.
Biden is flying to PA for three separate trips within on week. He was in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, Philly yesterday and back to Pittsburg on Labor Day. Coincidence? Or is PA a battleground state in the midterms?
The staging was purposeful, Independence Hall lit up as the backdrop, the Marine Band on the side, a red carpet from the Hall to the stage and lectern and two sentries flanking the US flag. The light was either meant to be spooky or foreboding with the camera close-up, he was framed by hellish red lighting.
Of course this was a political speech.
“he was framed by hellish red lighting.”
Not sure whose idea that was but it looked like dumbass was standing at the gates of hell.
Who knew that Old Joe was a Black Sabbath fan?
How dictator like. Military backdrop while disparaging half of the citizenry. Priceless. Fucking radical progressive handlers are leading him down the wroooooong path
The media is doing a great disservice to the country by propagating the nonsense that the Trump cult following is normal "politics".
Tell us how your brand of politics is normal.
In these troubled times the people don't want to be fed a buffet of fearful, negative, and divisive propaganda. Your side should be touting its successes if they want to win elections, instead of alienating over half of the electorate
First there has to be successes to tout. I wish he left luck with that.
Oh Bullshit!!! Securing our border, securing our elections, stopping the indoctrination of our children, not wanting men competing against women in sports, wanting to stop the out of control spending on Covid fears, not having tax payers pay other people's debt, yeah that's extremist, what fucking planet are your living on!
Doesn't Kim, Jong Un do the same thing? Try to use the military as a threat?
Gen Milley wanted to resign after Pres Trump visited law enforcement to thank them for protecting the WH grounds and a historic church from a violent BLM mob. Has anyone heard from Milley after Biden used the Marines as a prop to attack millions of patriotic law-abiding citizens?
Yep, that maga crowd that loves to storm capitols and beat up cops and shit and piss in the halls of congress.
You're must be referring to the BLM and Antifa thugs.
One half assed riot doesn't rise to the level of destruction caused by those left wing punks
Sadly some cannot see differences in different occurrences.
It has been said in various ways that " a picture is worth a thousand words ".
Unless the claim is that that Biden's handlers are ignorant of staging, what message was supposed to be sent by that picture?
Patriotism ?
I didn't listen to the speech, so I don't know if the words matched the image of the picture. Evidently, someone in Biden's camp was not capable of projecting a clearly understood message or maybe the intent was to perpetuate division instead of unification of the US citizens.
So why are you commenting on it, if it wasn't important enough for you to listen to it?
I rarely watch live political speeches. It is usually the same old political crap. If anything is said that is noteworthy, I can easily read about in the news or watch the speech on youtube.
Which ignores the point of my entire comment. You stated that you didn't watch it and don't know what was said, yet you are here commenting on it. Why?
Because she can, her comment was about the optics of the presentation. Do you have an opinion on that?
A presentation she admitted she didn't watch.
And?...
And for some reason she is unwilling to explain why?
Look!.... squirrel.... your comments are ridiculous thus far on this thread. Again, do you have an opinion on the optics of the speech? Or are you simply going to continue questioning why another member should be allowed to express their opinion?
“And for some reason she is unwilling to explain why?”
yeah, it was explained quite well in an easily understood way in post 3.1.3.
This from a person who is questioning why I should express mine? LOL !!!!!
LOL indeed. It's a fairly short thread, could you point that post out?
Biden seems to be channeling Hitler, or Stalin, or Mao
If so, it is at the behest of his handlers.
When I look at Biden, I see a bumbling old man who I feel very sorry for. I doubt Biden is capable of complex thought. He never was presidential material, IMO.
I didn't even know Biden was giving a speech because I hadn't seen it advertised in anything I watch or read. My interests do not revolve around keeping up with US politics 24/7.
From the little bit of info I have read, it seems that the major networks refused to carry this speech because of its political nature.
I wonder how many people, outside of diehard Democrats, watched his speech when it aired live versus how many people will check it out now to use for campaign purposes between now and the November election?
As well as some world leaders if some of the news I have read is true.
These days it is so difficult to separate fact from fiction.
Maybe, we need a Disinformation Governance Board....or not. Definitely, not.
Has the US ever had an honest, unbiased media? If so, examples?
It is difficult to compare yesteryear with today's media bias without more research than I probably ever want to waste my remaining brain cells on.
I did find a research paper with some comparisons of yesteryear and today.
I will cite some of the most current examples in the report of why it is probably foolhardy to place much trust in what we consider mainstream media.
I will note that the Democrats efforts to sway the GOP nomination to a weak candidate that Clinton could most likely defeat resulted in electing Trump. This year, the Democrats have shown they are slow learners because they are using the same tactic trying to manipulate GOP nominations for the November 2022 election.
Easy to read report about media manipulation in the 1990s and early 2000s
Clearly Biden is prepared to use the military to protect the government from the electorate. The electorate has become an enemy of the state.
Clearly? Or are people just looking for stupid things to bash him for.
We don't have to look for reasons to bash Biden. He and his associates offer us a fresh menu every day of stupid words and deeds.
Funny, I heard the same things about previous presidents...
“The electorate has become an enemy of the state.”
The definition of hyperbole.
How so?
Biden's rant was 100% hyperbole and lies
People are nuts. Who gives a fuck. They are in their dress uniform. Not like they are in fatigues holding automatic rifles...
Using the military as a backdrop during a political speech is wrong and dictator like, especially when he disparages half the country in that political speech. .
And BTW, they were wearing their dress blues, not fatigues.
Read again.
I did and I apologize for the error.
There are a lot of legitimate reasons why military personnel might be in a shot when the president is speaking, but I have to agree with Keilar that they shouldn’t be used solely as a prop in this way.
Great story. Let’s hand select a few cherry picked tweets from anonymous people and pretend they represent a popular opinion, and not the talking points of the professional left.
You can almost see the attempt to manipulate reality jump off the page and smell the desperation. All you need to know about the speech was that msnbc and cnn moved off it fairly Quickly while fox kept is as the primary story.
The only people defending the speech and the possibly illegal politicization of the marines are the kool aid drinkers who would insult their own mothers if a democrat told them too. They have no shame.
Even Biden is walking back what he said.