CNBC host and New York Times contributor John Harwood on Monday criticized the media's coverage of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and handling of classified materials, arguing it was "just dumb" and "exaggerated" the story's significance.
Harwood responded to a tweet from New York University (NYU) professor Jay Rosen saying the media had a role in electing Republican candidate Donald Trump.
"They can’t bear to face their own role in helping elect Trump." From what I can tell, this is true about the press. https://t.co/M0za7cRYTb
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) September 16, 2017
there is no doubt media coverage exaggerated the significance of Clinton's e-mails in a way that was not just dumb but obviously ridiculous https://t.co/uNlLrwAkqr
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 17, 2017
was it foolish/selfish to use private server instead of unclassified State system to keep control of her info? Yes. that was the whole issue https://t.co/5lOANjPTzP
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 17, 2017
but beyond that, did the actual emails themselves show misconduct? no. was her handling of classified info a crime? not even close https://t.co/mX09Km6npw
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 17, 2017
Harwood sparred with critics, insisting the FBI investigation into the Democratic candidate's use of a private email server while at the State Department was not a "big f***ing deal," and the classified information found on the server was "inconsequential."
it was not a BFD https://t.co/kkgtYPcXns
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 17, 2017
of course not. small amount of classified info in her emails was inconsequential "spillage" that occurs routinely w/diplomats and lawmakers. https://t.co/0EddCfHasI
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 18, 2017
During the election, Harwood faced scrutiny when WikiLeaks released a series of emails that showed Harwood giving advice to the Clinton campaign and praising her campaign ads.
In one email to campaign chairman John Podesta, Harwood wrote, "I imagine … that Obama feels some (sad) vindication at this demonstration of his years-long point about the opposition party veering off the rails."
Another of the emails from summer 2015, well before the Clinton investigation closed, showed Harwood trashing his own paper's story that praised Biden as a potential 2016 presidential candidate. Harwood emailed Podesta, "Cannot believe Biden story is leading the paper."
"Correct me if I am wrong, since you would know better, but it strikes me that ‘Biden is actively exploring’ is the new ‘criminal referral of Hillary Clinton’ if you know what I mean," Harwood dismissively told Podesta.
Despite Harwood's claims, there has been a number of experts who have labeled Clinton's actions as criminal.