The media were at it again this week, and I have the receipts to prove it.
WHERE'S HUNTER?: It seemed like big news. Devon Archer testified that he and Hunter Biden sold foreigners access to Joe Biden, and the then-vice president called into their business meetings and attended dinners with their clients.
But no, Hunter Biden's Chinese and Ukrainian client's weren't actually paying for access to his dad, but rather for the "illusion of access," explained the New York Times, the Associated Press, CNN, and many others.
How CNN is covering Devon Archer's testimony: After running Dan Goldman's remarks, CNN cites a "source" who says Archer said Hunter Biden was selling the "illusion" of having access to Joe Biden.
"Really a stunning development...apparently business was never discussed." pic.twitter.com/dxilCbrvSB
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 31, 2023
That narrative was based on Rep. Dan. Goldman's (D., N.Y.) account of Archer's congressional testimony, which took place behind closed doors. Just one problem: Archer never even said "illusion of access" during the hearing. Goldman did, and Archer pushed back. CBS News was one of the few news outlets to correct the record after a transcript of the hearing was released.
CBS calls out Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman's lies on the Devon Archer testimony:
"In fact, when you look at the transcript, what you see is that phrase 'illusion of access' is in Dan Goldman's question — it's actually NOT what Devon Archer testified to." pic.twitter.com/xBajOaKvnF
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 3, 2023
THEN/NOW: Speaking of short-lived Democratic spin, it was just last week that headlines declared the economy and the southern border were fixed, leaving Republicans all-but powerless to attack the president.
Then:
Axios: "GOP's Crumbling Case Against Biden on Crime, Immigration, and Inflation":
Republicans are hammering "Joe Biden’s America" as a land of rising violent crime, surging immigration and out of control inflation, but there’s just one problem: the numbers are starting to move in the opposite direction.
The big picture: With 2024 around the corner, the U.S. is making measurable progress in the areas where Biden has been most vulnerable to GOP attacks.
Washington Post: "As Inflation Falls, GOP May Have to Rethink Attacks on Biden Economy."
Associated Press: "Inflation Drops to 3% And Biden Hopes to Turn a Weakness With Voters Into a Strength."
Now:
CNN: "CNN Poll: Half of Americans Think The Economy is Getting Worse, Despite Months of Stronger Economic News."
Texas Tribune: "Border Arrests Surged in July, a Blow to Biden Migration Plan."
CBS News: "Fitch Downgrades US Debt, Citing Political ‘Deterioration.’"
Quick, change the subject!
Trump's indictment blocks out Biden's bad news https://t.co/ya5rW8HU5y
— Axios (@axios) August 3, 2023
REPUBLICANS POUNCE: Left-wing South Africans chanted about killing white people. But, according to the New York Times, the real problem is that "right-wing commentators" noticed.
The New York Times actually has the nerve to support calls for genocide! If ever there was a time to cancel that publication, it is now.
You can read their articles for free anyway using https://t.co/2NjvMTsWmj. pic.twitter.com/ow11wxw7Ny
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 4, 2023
That kind of moral confusion would never fly in U.S. political news, though, right?
This month is the third anniversary of the 'Fiery, but mostly peaceful" protests, according to @CNN.
During the 2020 Summer of Love, the Black community destroyed the Black community to avenge the death of a Black criminal who died of complications caused, in-part, by drug use. pic.twitter.com/rVrCW1LWtW
— Errol Webber (@ErrolWebber) August 1, 2023
FEAR INDEX: Remember all those articles during the pandemic about how dangerous it was to go outside?
Is it safe to take a walk outside during the coronavirus pandemic? @jodikantor talks to experts in her latest Dilemmas column. https://t.co/d4BLlQI6yc
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 27, 2020
Well, it's apparently still not safe, and now the reason is climate change.
There are benefits to running on the treadmill, running coaches and exercise scientists say, as record-breaking temperatures and poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires this year have made running outside risky or outright dangerous at times. https://t.co/oHKAMFfnqm
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 31, 2023
Oh, and white supremacy.
'There is trauma related to being outdoors," the founder of an organization working to provide safe spaces for Black people to enjoy outdoor activities says.
'There's a lot of healing that we as a Black community must do." https://t.co/pGFNa6gJQO
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 26, 2023
EDUCATE YOURSELF: NBC News reported on an online "community" of people who believe they can change their race by watching YouTube videos. The article included an obvious fact check: You can't actually change your race.
"It’s just belief," said Jamie Cohen, an assistant professor of cultural and media studies at Queens College, City University of New York. "It doesn’t ever really work, because it’s not doing anything, but they have convinced themselves that it works because there’s other people who have convinced themselves, as well."
What about changing your sex? That's different.
"RCTA and transracialism—which came to the forefront because of controversial figures like Rachel Dolezal—have been compared to being transgender. However, psychologists and activists push back against comparisons," NBC News explained.
"Tiq Milan, a Black transgender activist and writer, said it is a disservice to transgender people to compare the two. Race historically emerged as a social construct to establish a racial hierarchy with the white race at the top, whereas variances in gender identity have existed for thousands of years, he said."
Also, race isn't real, according to the article. Got it?
This article is hilarious because it simultaneously argues that (1) people can't change their race; (2) people can change their sex; (3) race is just a social construct. This is an impressive combination of apparently contradictory assertions. https://t.co/U8VjRax7PD
— Bo Winegard (@EPoe187) July 31, 2023
Stay safe out there, and see you next week.