Media Twist Trump’s ‘Bloodbath’ Narrative With Deceptive Headlines
Several media outlets were taught their jobs over the weekend after they tried to take a Saturday comment by former President Donald Trump out of context.
During a campaign event in Ohio on Saturday, Trump was talking about putting a dent on China’s plan to sell Chinese-made cars manufactured in Mexico to Americans by placing heavy tariffs on the car.
“If you’re listening, President Xi — and you and I are friends — but he understands the way I deal. Those big monster car manufacturing plants that you’re building in Mexico right now… you’re going to not hire Americans and you’re going to sell the cars to us, no. We’re going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those cars if I get elected,” he said.
Going on to the misconstrued part, Trump added, “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole – that’s gonna be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars.”
Several mainstream media outlets have jumped over his remarks since then, sharing headlines that suggest that Trump was planning actual violence if he did not win the election in November.
In its report, NBC News used the headline, “Trump says there will be a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses the election.”
Politico’s headline stated, “Trump says country faces ‘bloodbath’ if Biden wins in November.”
Rolling Stone’s headline read, “Trump Says There Will Be a ‘Bloodbath’ and Elections Will End if He Isn’t Reelected.”
NPR took it a notch further, writing, “Trump says some migrants are ‘not people’, and warns of ‘bloodbath’ if he loses.”
These headlines have led to an outcry from conservatives on X,
X owner Elon Musk also weighed in, slamming NBC for its headline on X that states, “Former President Donald Trump vowed at a rally that there would be a “bloodbath” if he’s not re-elected in November.”
This headline is deceptive, as he was referring to the auto industry. Shame on NBC.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2024
“This headline is deceptive, as he was referring to the auto industry. Shame on NBC,” Elon Musk wrote.
Conservative commentator, U.S. military veteran, and author Sean Parnell took issue with the outlet’s narrative as well, writing, “NBC pushing the bloodbath hoax now. Unreal. These ‘news’ agencies need a complete overhaul. They are no different than state run media propaganda.”
NBC pushing the bloodbath hoax now.
Unreal. These ‘news’ agencies need a complete overhaul. They are no different than state run media propaganda. https://t.co/rcZdstrXml
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) March 17, 2024
The account End Wokeness on X shared a compilation of the headlines by NBC News, CBS News and Rolling Stone, tweeting, “We are witnessing the invention of the ‘bloodbath’ hoax in real-time. Unfortunately for them, we have X.”
We are witnessing the invention of the "bloodbath" hoax in real-time
Unfortunately for them, we have 𝕏
Media narrative: Full context: pic.twitter.com/jaYDvtGomn
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 17, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) quoted End Wokeness’ post, stating,”The Democrats and the media lie constantly about what Pres Trump says. They twist his phrases and sarcasm and tell the public he said something he did not. When Trump said there will be a bloodbath if Biden wins, he was talking about the auto industry and he’s RIGHT!”
The Democrats and the media lie constantly about what Pres Trump says.
They twist his phrases and sarcasm and tell the public he said something he did not.
When Trump said there will be a bloodbath if Biden wins, he was talking about the auto industry and he’s RIGHT! https://t.co/ktLlxfL905
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) March 17, 2024
“Donald Trump said that a bloodbath would happen to the American auto industry if Biden kept on promoting Chinese made EVs. He of course is 100 percent correct. All other reporting about his ‘bloodbath’ comment is complete propaganda. The media should be ashamed,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) tweeted.
Donald Trump said that a bloodbath would happen to the American auto industry if Biden kept on promoting Chinese made EVs.
He of course is 100 percent correct.
All other reporting about his "bloodbath" comment is complete propaganda. The media should be ashamed.
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) March 17, 2024
