On Tuesday’s episode of ABC’s Good Morning America, co-host George Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton administration official, teamed up with chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, to effusively praise the Democratic National Convention.
Their coverage appeared overwhelmingly positive and reminiscent of state-controlled media, as they celebrated President Biden’s speech that aimed to pass the political baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, marking what was described as a “jam-packed and emotional first night.”
It was defiantly giving state TV vibes…
In his intro to Bruce’s report, Stephanopoulos’s statement seemed more like an official press release than journalistic reporting. Here’s how he set the stage:
“The Democratic National Convention started last night. President Biden took the stage in Chicago just before midnight, passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her tough, experienced with enormous integrity. He also warned of the danger posed by Donald Trump, saying that democracy must be preserved.” This characterization was presented as unvarnished fact, suggesting the nominee for a significant political party—and by extension, its voters—constitutes a threat to democracy.
Bruce continued the adulation with a tone befitting a Harris administration hopeful, elaborating:
“After that ‘jam-packed and emotional’ line, Bruce further swooned as though it weren’t a issue that Biden’s speech went ‘well past midnight’ because ‘this was his swan song’ with Biden ‘touting and defending his record and making a forceful case for Kamala Harris to carry his legacy forward.’”
She then painted an almost sentimental picture of Biden, portraying him as a figure of affection rather than controversy:
“Overnight, a teary-eyed Joe Biden taking the convention stage to a rousing standing ovation over four minutes long. The crowd chanting thank you, Joe,” she added.”
Bruce’s narrative made Biden seem like an amiable character, completely sidestepping any negative aspects, such as CNN analyst Scott Jennings’s remarks about Biden being “one of the orneriest, angriest presidents we’ve ever” had. Instead, she emphasized:
“The President, ticking through his accomplishments, but arguing it’s Harris, not him, who is best suited to finish the job.”
ABC’s George Stephanopoulos understood the assignment for 'GMA'. This was his tease recapping night one of the DNC:
"President Biden keynotes the DNC, calls VP Kamala Harris the next president. Passing the torch…President Biden at the Democratic National Convention greeted by… pic.twitter.com/ziUxOWFzIA
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 20, 2024
The report briefly shifted to discuss Harris and other key speakers, with Bruce noting,
“the last word belonging to Biden,” a man “eager to cement his legacy and deliver the White House to Harris.” Bruce gushed about the moment, saying, “The party’s past and future embracing on the stage. Harris appearing to tell Biden, I love you so much,” before teasing the lineup for Tuesday’s speakers.
Following Bruce’s comprehensive praise, Stephanopoulos turned to chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, who also offered a glowing review:
“Biden ‘seemed to make the most of’ his situation.” Karl added, “He [Biden] ‘soaked in the adulation of this crowd, the gratitude of this crowd,’ for ‘not just for a career in public service, but for that decision that was largely forced on him at the end, to bow out of the race.'”
What is this? North Korea or the United States? ABC’s Mary Bruce, laying it on thick for Biden like she’s a co-host of ‘The View’
“Well, this was a jam packed and emotional first night. The President speaking for nearly an hour, going well past midnight and, in many ways, this… pic.twitter.com/Z6R2kMbHqW
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 20, 2024
Although Karl did remark that Biden’s “speech was a little long” and “obviously late,” he quickly brushed aside these criticisms, agreeing with Bruce:
“Seeing no issue with lines such as when he equated Israelis (including those who had loved ones kidnapped by terrorists on October 7) and supporters of Hamas protesting in Chicago.”