'Media Clowns Are a Joke': CNN Host Flayed For Quoting Claim US Leaders Were 'In the Bunker' on 9/11

AP’s story on 7 September hailed the “Big 3” network anchors Tom Brokaw (NBC News), Peter Jennings (ABC) and Dan Rather (CBS) as having “guided Americans” through the horrors of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 while the “political leadership was largely silent”.

CNN's TV host Brian Stelter has unleashed a torrent of criticism for tweeting a story from the Associated Press claiming network TV anchors were "the closest thing that America had to national leaders on 9/11".

"Most Americans were guided through the unimaginable by one of three anchors: Tom Brokaw of NBC News, Peter Jennings of ABC and Dan Rather of CBS," AP’s David Bauder had written on September 7th.

Network TV anchors were "the closest thing that America had to national leaders on 9/11. They were the moral authority for the country on that first day," especially with political leaders in bunkers or otherwise out of sight... https://t.co/j12NRPr2BM

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 11, 2021

In his Twitter post, made on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Stelter added that "political leaders were in bunkers or otherwise out of sight" during the terror attacks, which occurred 20 years ago on Saturday.

The host of the CNN programme Reliable Sources immediately came under a barrage of criticism, with conservative columnist Meghan McCain reminding him of the heroic feats of first responders, and hailing the decisive leadership of former President George W. Bush.

I don't know what this is even designed to mean other than to be incendiary on a dark anniversary.

First responders led & ran into danger and died. Mayor Giuliani, Hillary Clinton, George Pataki, President Bush, Chuck Schumer.... there were many real leaders leading us. https://t.co/60eBxqdvmL

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 11, 2021

what in the world are you on about? President Bush delivered an address from the Oval Office that very evening. also, there’s this:https://t.co/07GOcJUujI

— tsar becket adams (@BecketAdams) September 11, 2021

It takes nothing away from the first responders or the leaders. They were a little busy that day, so, it was the press that kept us informed. Everybody had a job to do. What are you saying? Are you trying to create more division?

— Rita H. (@rvrside1) September 11, 2021

You should delete this and seriously reconsider the high regard in which you hold your so-called profession.

— Jerry Bohl, Jr. (@jr_bohl) September 11, 2021

What is going on with CNN lately sheesh.

— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) September 11, 2021

We didn’t really have Bush on 9/11 because he was in the air most of the day out of communication.

9/11 was Rudy’s day.

— Jay Waters (@SenatorZero) September 11, 2021

Better then the current administration looking for an ice cream truck

— enabler777 (@enabler777) September 12, 2021

Some on social media lambasted the TV host for drawing attention to himself on a day of remembrance.

Leave it to Brian to make 9/11 about the industry he adores.

— Nielkt 🇺🇲 (@Nielkta) September 11, 2021

Newscasters as second string quarterbacks, attempting to write history through their perspective … Media Clowns are all a joke …

— Dua Watson (@DuaWatson) September 12, 2021

In his defence, Stelter reminded that he was simply quoting the piece he shared.

I remember. Please send your objections to the author of the story or the person he quoted.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 11, 2021

However, tweeps insisted that retweeting meant a form of endorsement.

Not true
He either agrees with it OR he disagrees with it.
If you wonder which, watch his show for ten minutes.
Hint : The part of his tweet AFTER the quote is also a clue.

— Jerry Bohl, Jr. (@jr_bohl) September 11, 2021

Because nobody ever retweets anything unless they endorse it…

— Paul St@ler (@pstat1020) September 11, 2021

“You added your take outside the quotes! Also, you shared it. So at some level you liked it and agreed with it. You didn’t offer criticism, so what other deduction is there? Stop playing these stupid games Brian. We all know what you’re doing.” Own up stelter and stop lying!

— Big Mike (@BrewToTable) September 12, 2021

Others shared the TV anchor’s stance.

as he said...because of .....political leaders in bunkers or otherwise out of sight....the anchors were letting the world know what was happening

— bruuuuuuuce (@b96165722) September 11, 2021

Read the article and it is spot on. I saw the 2nd plane hit live. I heard nothing from our leaders for hours. No judgement just truth.

— Yoyothom (@YolaThomas) September 11, 2021