(Credit: Twitter)
The Associated Press deleted a tweet that suggested Pres. Donald Trump called all immigrants who enter illegally “animals.” CNN also clarified its tweet about Trump’s comments.
Trump tweeted yesterday saying he “referred to MS 13 Gang Members as ‘Animals'” not all illegal immigrants.
Fake News Media had me calling Immigrants, or Illegal Immigrants, “Animals.” Wrong! They were begrudgingly forced to withdraw their stories. I referred to MS 13 Gang Members as “Animals,” a big difference – and so true. Fake News got it purposely wrong, as usual!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2018
So what did Trump say? The New York Times posted a fact check of his comments and the media coverage of it.
According to the transcript, Trump’s comments were made directly after a remark from Fresno County sheriff Margaret Mims’ remark about a MS-13 member being in a sanctuary city. The Times noted, “It is important to understand that sanctuary city laws — which are what prompted Sheriff Mims to mention MS-13 in the first place — would not protect gang members who commit heinous crimes.” The transcript reads:
Sheriff Mims: “There could be an MS-13 member I know about — if they don’t reach a certain threshold, I cannot tell ICE about it.”
Mr. Trump: “We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in — and we’re stopping a lot of them — but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals. And we’re taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before. And because of the weak laws, they come in fast, we get them, we release them, we get them again, we bring them out. It’s crazy.”
AP deletes, CNN clarifies
“AP has deleted a tweet from late Wednesday on Trump’s ‘animals’ comment about immigrants because it wasn’t made clear that he was speaking after a comment about gang members,” the AP tweeted.
The original AP tweet read, “Trump referred to those crossing US border illegally as ‘animals’ and slammed California sanctuary state laws as ‘deadly.'” iMediaEthics has asked the AP if the administration complained.
AP has deleted a tweet from late Wednesday on Trump’s “animals” comment about immigrants because it wasn’t made clear that he was speaking after a comment about gang members.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 17, 2018
CNN posted a tweet to clarify its original tweet on Trump’s comments, CNN noted in its own story about media outlets’ reporting on the animals comment. CNN spokesperson Matt Dornic told iMediaEthics by e-mail that CNN didn’t receive any complaints from the administration. “Our story always provided the appropriate context but the tweet lacked so we clarified it,” he wrote.
CNN’s initial May 17 tweet read: “‘We’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people — these are animals.’ During a meeting with public officials who oppose California’s sanctuary policies, Pres. Trump criticized US immigration laws https://trib.al/jDvH1Vx
About 13 hours later, CNN posted a follow-up reading, “As reported in the article above, Trump’s remarks late Wednesday were in response to comments about members of MS-13 and other undocumented immigrants who are deported for committing crimes.”
As reported in the article above, Trump’s remarks late Wednesday were in response to comments about members of MS-13 and other undocumented immigrants who are deported for committing crimes.
— CNN (@CNN) May 17, 2018
