The involvement of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in a recent report about Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has sparked significant debate on social media platforms. The controversy centers around a report focusing on El-Sayed’s deleted posts concerning the 9/11 attacks, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
CBS Report and Social Media Reactions
CBS News highlighted El-Sayed’s former posts in a story that drew sharp reactions from some left-leaning groups. Critics, including the outlet MeidasTouch, voiced concerns, describing it as a major scandal. Others accused CBS of normalizing Islamophobia within its coverage. Among the vocal critics were Mehdi Hasan and Jennifer Rubin, who expressed strong disapproval of the editorial decisions.
Editorial Decisions Questioned
Status News revealed that Weiss had commended the report in a CBS editorial meeting and suggested the headline emphasize El-Sayed’s deleted 9/11-related tweets. The final headline, “Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s deleted tweets on Sept. 11 attacks invite scrutiny of past remarks,” provided a specific context.
Originally, the headline was, “For Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, Sept. 11 commemoration invites scrutiny of past remarks.”
Conservatives, however, dismissed the left’s outrage, considering Weiss’s actions as part of her editorial responsibilities. Commentators like Mollie Hemingway and Chuck Ross defended the editorial moves as standard practices in journalism.
El-Sayed’s Response and CBS News Source
El-Sayed, when queried by a CBS News reporter, acknowledged the gravity of 9/11 as a significant attack on America. He emphasized building a nation that avoids unnecessary wars. Meanwhile, a CBS source downplayed the criticism, noting that political figures often face scrutiny over past social media content.
The report also cited El-Sayed’s deleted posts, drawing comparisons between 9/11 casualties and those of the coronavirus pandemic. One notable post from 2021 contrasted lives lost in the U.S. during 9/11 with casualties in countries affected by subsequent conflicts.