OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
As inflation hit a 40-year high and the consumer price index rose 7.5%, CBS News faced major backlash for identifying a new scapegoat in an apparent attempt to protect Democrats from accepting responsibility.
The liberal outlet blamed increased gas prices, inflation and supply-chain issues on Russia and the crisis in Ukraine rather than the Biden administration’s handling of the economy, according to Fox News.
CBS reported: “The U.S. economy has been hit with increased gas prices, inflation, and supply-chain issues due to the Ukraine crisis.” The network linked to an article that described what “could” happen as a result of Russian action in Ukraine rather than the economic challenges already impacting Americans.
Social media slammed CBS, calling its claim “hysterical” and “simply not true.”
“SPIN HARDER,” Christina Pushaw joked as CBS was clearly distorting the truth to fit their narrative.
Others jokingly noted how inflation “magically happened in 24 hours” as Russia initiated its all-out invasion of Ukraine.
Take a look at the responses:
The U.S. economy has been hit with increased gas prices, inflation, and supply-chain issues due to the Ukraine crisis. https://t.co/d9dwXWpcvf
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 23, 2022
Check out this ingenious effort to cover up the failures of the Biden administration. It’s all due to what Putin is doing in the Ukraine! https://t.co/eoj3qB8KJ6
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) February 23, 2022
This is hysterical. https://t.co/w9InFAFxEf
— Matt Kibbe (@mkibbe) February 23, 2022
This is simply not true. https://t.co/zb6vLHwRt6
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 23, 2022
They really think Americans are stupid https://t.co/x1GC2v9BF1
— Слава Україні! Героям слава! (@MichaelRCaputo) February 23, 2022
Gee, why is trust in media so darn low? Clowns. https://t.co/FEKGnFoYpI
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) February 23, 2022
“No. Don’t let them get away with it. Due to Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi’s failed Far Left policies. [T]hanks,” wrote House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., while Fox Business anchor Charles Payne accused CBS of not having “an ounce of integrity.”
Other critics suggested there was “a new scapegoat” for the media to place blame on instead of the Biden administration, and that the media was “the enemy of the people.”
No. Don’t let them get away with it.
Due to Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi’s failed Far Left policies. thanks https://t.co/lrXGcrTqpc
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) February 23, 2022
Not an ounce of integrity https://t.co/Xu46G8M2Uo
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) February 23, 2022
New scapegoat just dropped https://t.co/XrEsTmFatR
— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) February 23, 2022
Enemy of the people 🤡 https://t.co/uNa9LLHyf4
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) February 23, 2022
SPIN HARDER https://t.co/QSvYepMSwk
— Christina Pushaw 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) February 23, 2022
“Due to the Ukraine Crisis.” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/wQ8EGQq5nN
— Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) February 23, 2022
A number of critics questioned how CBS could claim the economic impacts were a result of Russian action in Ukraine considering Russia’s first encroachment into Ukrainian territory just happened on Tuesday.
Lol Russia invaded yesterday. https://t.co/9V4xlJwOmD
— BDW (@BryanDeanWright) February 23, 2022
This all magically happened in 24 hours.
I cannot believe the comedy parts of this site are free. https://t.co/AubBHSL9vt
— Rob Eno (@Robeno) February 23, 2022