A “chyron malfunction” has resulted in an official apology (though no explanation) from ABC News and the President of the United States finding the perfect moment to work in a “Fake News” and “Witch Hunt” tweet — with all the usual fallout from the presidential trolling online.
In a still unexplained moment caught by Mediaite, while covering Trump’s comments to pool reporters Tuesday, ABC News’ chyron revealed the shocking news that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort had pleaded guilty to five counts of manslaughter.
Here’s a screenshot of ABC’s bombshell update:
The only problem, of course, is that it’s simply untrue. How exactly the network screwed up on something so specific is hard to say — in fact, ABC in its apology didn’t even try to explain it, saying instead that it’s still “investigating” how the bizarre mixup happened.
“We regret and apologize for the false lower third graphic that aired during our special report. We are investigating how incorrect information was in our system and how and why it was allowed to air,” ABC said in a statement Wednesday. “We apologize to our viewers and to Mr. Manafort. There simply is no excuse for this sort of mistake.”
Statement from @ABC News: We regret and apologize for the false lower third graphic that aired during our special report. We are investigating how incorrect information was in our system and how and why it was allowed to air. (1/2)
— ABCNews PR (@ABCNewsPR) June 20, 2018
(cont.) We apologize to our viewers and to Mr. Manafort. There simply is no excuse for this sort of mistake. (2/2)
— ABCNews PR (@ABCNewsPR) June 20, 2018
While some of ABC’s fans graciously accepted the apology, Trump wasn’t so quick to let “Fake ABC News” off the hook:
Look what Fake ABC News put out. I guess they had it prepared from the 13 Angry Democrats leading the Witch Hunt! #StopTheBias pic.twitter.com/c0XOk1btEQ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2018
As is the case for basically everything he ever tweets, the internet simultaneously exploded and imploded, with even “Jesus Christ” weighing in — creating either a wormhole or a space-time vortex, it’s unclear. Maybe ABC can explain it after it figures out how it convicted Manafort of “manslaughter.”
Some examples of the Trump critics using the fake news incident as an excuse to condemn Trump and his administration, particularly about the separating illegal immigrant families debacle, and a few of his supporters jumping in on his behalf:
Look at what your campaign manager is being charged with….
The Best people?
— Ryan Hill (@RyanHillMI) June 20, 2018
At this point it would probably be easier to count the Trump Campaign staffers who DIDN’T talk to Russia….
— Ryan Hill (@RyanHillMI) June 20, 2018
Unlike children, you DO belong in a cage, Donny.
— Jesus Christ (@SonOfGodAndMan) June 20, 2018
— Deplorable Me! (@marieha34093166) June 20, 2018
https://t.co/0KWywBcn2P you should read this!
— Arthur Fisher (@peace92470) June 20, 2018
Snopes, seriously? Maybe you should fact check snopes. Thanks for trying.
— Deplorable Me! (@marieha34093166) June 20, 2018
You mean this law that has no reference to separating accompanied children with their parents? Because that’s exactly what the clause missing in that law pic.twitter.com/nwPXznwhZy
— ANGRY NAVAL OFFICER #VETSRESISTSQUADRON (@BlueGhost40_) June 20, 2018
There’s more proof of voter fraud than there is Russian collusion!
WITCH HUNT!
— The Trump Train ???????????? (@The_Trump_Train) June 20, 2018
Via DailyWire
