Biden fact-check fail: Writer insists president did not look at his at his watch during dignified transfer ceremony — then big-time correction comes



Do the so-called "fact-checkers" — the pros whose supposed nonpartisan detective work and painstaking research guide news narratives far and wide — need fact-checkers, too?

If the answer to that question isn't obvious, consider this week's faux pas by a USA Today fact-checker in relation to President Joe Biden and his wristwatch.

What happened?

Biden didn't earn any friends among the family members of the 13 U.S. service members who were killed in a recent suicide bombing in Afghanistan. But the public's perception took an even deeper dive after reports of his behavior during the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base over the weekend.

The president got failing marks for things like going on and on to grieving families about his late son Beau — who died of cancer rather than at the hands of the enemy — and rolling his "f***ing" eyes at service members' relatives and allegedly showing "total disregard" for the dead.

And then there was the looking-down-at-his-watch-during-the-ceremony thing. Numerous relatives said they saw Biden checking his watch more than once as caskets came off the plane — and the apparent demonstration of non-concern angered them.

Enter USA Today fact-checker Daniel Funke, who penned a Wednesday piece taking issue with folks on social media for pointing out Biden's watch obsession. Funke wrote that "the claim that he checked his watch instead of honoring the fallen service members is wrong," according a Wednesday version of the story found on the Internet Archive.

Funke added, "The full video of the dignified transfer ceremony shows Biden honored each of the fallen U.S. service members. He appeared to check his watch after the ceremony ended."

Oops

But something went wrong with the fact-checker's claim.

Just a day later the story's headline changed from "Fact check: Biden honored service members killed in Kabul, checked watch only after ceremony" to "Fact check: Biden honored service members killed in Kabul, checked watch during ceremony."

"Only after" to "during." Big difference.

And the new version of the story has a correction at the top: "This story was updated Sept. 2 to note that Biden checked his watch multiple times at the dignified transfer event, including during the ceremony itself. The rating on this claim has been changed from partly false to missing context."

A two part story courtesy of the "fact checkers" in the media. https://t.co/DyBFCBJH2g

— The First (@TheFirstonTV) 1630629580.0

Speaking of that changed rating

The original "partly false" rating said: "Based on our research, we rate PARTLY FALSE the claim that Trump saluted the caskets of fallen U.S. service members, while Biden checked his watch. The pictures are real, but they don't accurately summarize the two events. The way Biden honored the 11 caskets presented at Dover Air Force Base, with a hand over his heart, was similar to how Trump paid respects to fallen service members during his presidency. Biden checked his watch, but he did so after the ceremony had ended."

The new "missing context" rating reads: "Based on our research, we rate MISSING CONTEXT the claim that Trump saluted the caskets of fallen U.S. service members, while Biden checked his watch. The way Biden honored the 11 caskets presented at Dover Air Force Base, with a hand over his heart, was similar to how Trump paid respects to fallen service members during his presidency. However, Biden did check his watch at least three times, according to photos and video reviewed by USA TODAY. Several family members of fallen service members who attended the ceremony have criticized Biden for checking his watch."

'It's easy to dunk on journalists'

Funke did acknowledge his error on Twitter: "As many of you already know, this story has been corrected. Biden checked his watch multiple times during the ceremony. I regret the error."

And on Friday Funke offered a bit of defense in a pair of additional tweets.

He first wrote that "journalists and fact-checkers are human (yes, even me!) We make mistakes. When we do, we correct them and try to make it right."

Funke then added: "It's easy to dunk on journalists when we get things wrong. I get it – to many, we're just another name on a screen. But behind that screen is a person trying to do their best."

Twitter comments restricted

However, Funke's tweet thread about his failed fact-check shows he restricted replies to it to those he's followed or mentioned on Twitter:

Image source: Twitter

And one might argue that such a move doesn't demonstrate willingness to take some hits after an unfortunate "you had one job" scenario.

How did folks react to the fact-checking fail?

As you might guess, observers sounded off anyway — both on his page and elsewhere — and were less than forgiving about the mistaken conclusion the fact-check generated:

  • "Way to attempt a slam dunk on gold star families and falsely claim they lied, pronouns guy," independent journalist Jordan Schachtel shot back.
  • "From 'partly false' to 'missing context,'" another commenter noted. "Is there a fact-check on a Democrat that ever gets confirmed TRUE if it makes the Democrat look bad?"
  • "What is the missing context? WTF IS THE MISSING CONTEXT!?" another user wondered. "What's next.. 'story has been updated to note there is no missing context.. we just absolutely hate everyone who isn't a Biden supporter so we will never EVER admit we are biased.'"
  • "Fact checkers are nothing more than propagandists," another commenter opined. "Joseph [Goebbels] wishes he'd thought of it. Hitler would be proud."
  • "These people have no moral compass! That he looked at his watch was not lacking context; it was true!" another user declared. "They are so bias[ed] trying to hide the callous way Biden acted."
  • "So 'missing context' is the new 'mostly peaceful protests?'" another commenter quipped.
  • "Get outta here," another user exclaimed, adding "the way you guys are trying so hard everyday to minimize and downplay all his faults is staggering. Had this been Trump we wouldn't hear the end of it. This ultimately is gonna be Biden's downfall. You all are part of it."

(H/T: Red State)

RESIGN NOW: The U.S. Leaders Responsible for the Afghanistan DISASTER



Tonight on "Glenn TV," Glenn Beck outlines everything that led up to the chaos in Kabul in a blow-by-blow takedown that SHOULD lead to massive resignations within the Biden administration and top military brass. Americans died. Americans are – TO THIS DAY – still stranded, and it is ALL on President Joe Biden.

Glenn interviews The Nazarene Fund's Rudy Atallah who gives an update on the total rescue numbers and details the obstacles he's had to overcome with the State Department. He explains why he believes they are thwarting private sector rescue efforts and says the numbers of Americans begging to be rescued are in the thousands — not hundreds — and "will exceed any number that has come out of Jen Psaki's mouth." While The Nazarene Fund rescue efforts continue in a more perilous Afghanistan, Rudy reveals another terrifying obstacle: Chinese and Russians resources deployed to assist the Taliban in rounding up church leaders, women, journalists, and lawyers who put terrorists away.

Glenn also interviews Tim Kennedy, an Afghanistan war veteran and president of Sheepdog Response who partnered with SaveOurAllies.org to sneak past the Taliban and bring thousands to safety. He details the moment the bomb went off when he was on the ground at the Kabul airport and addresses the Taliban kill list. "They will kill babies, execute women, and cut your tongue out. That's just the G-rated stuff."

Watch the full episode of "Glenn TV" below:



Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.

Dem congressman unleashes on Biden's Afghanistan disaster in blistering interview: 'A total f***ing disaster'



Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton unleashed on President Joe Biden in a new interview, blasting the president for facilitating a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan that has now cost American soldiers their lives.

The Massachusetts Democrat has not withheld fierce criticism of the Biden administration since making an unauthorized trip to Kabul this week with Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) to witness the evacuation operation. Both men are military veterans.

What is Moulton saying now?

In a tell-all interview with New York Magazine, Moulton did not hold back, calling Biden's withdrawal a "total f***ing disaster."

"The thing that everybody needs to understand, even if you completely agree with the Biden administration's decision to withdraw, the way they have handled this has been a total f***ing disaster," Moulton said.

"It will be measured in bodies, because a lot of people are dying because they can't get out," he added.

While on the ground in Kabul for about 15 hours on Tuesday, Moulton said he witnessed scenes that were "truly out of this world," describing the situation as "the most visceral, raw view of humanity that I will probably ever see in my life." Moulton said that he saw "thousands upon thousands" of Afghans "desperate" to leave their country.

"I've never seen more people cry, just salty Marines, seasoned State Department veterans just break down in tears, talking about their work, and hugging me, and saying thank you for coming," he explained.

Moulton's brief trip also gave him valuable insight about conditions in Qatar, where Afghan refugees are being taken upon leaving Afghanistan.

"Refugees are going to start dying today if we don't get them help in places like Qatar. Thousands will get slaughtered by the Taliban if we don't somehow devise a plan to get them out before we leave," Moulton said. "These are all things that the administration has failed to do, and I know that because the people on the ground are telling me."

As New York Magazine noted, Moulton has worked extensively throughout his time in Congress to expand and improve the special immigrant visa program. He accelerated his efforts this year when Biden announced plans for a complete Afghanistan withdrawal.

A congressional investigation?

Moulton told New York Magazine that he is "absolutely" interested in a congressional commission that investigates why the Biden administration did not begin evacuations earlier.

According to the outlet, Moulton is "adamant" that "the administration has created a disaster of epic proportions."

In fact, Moulton admitted that he hates "criticizing Biden," but said it's worth it right now.

"If telling the truth is what's required to save a few lives, then it's worth all the bad politics in the world," Moulton explained. "I agree with 95 percent of his agenda. I'm still onboard with him and I believe this was a massive mistake."

"But I come to all of this as a Marine first and politician second. That's always who I've been and it's always who I'll be," he said.

WHY is our CIA director NEGOTIATING with the TALIBAN?!

WHY is our CIA director NEGOTIATING with the TALIBAN?!

Private sector team organizing flights out of Afghanistan blasts Biden admin for standing in the way: 'This is a massive f*** up,' 'morally reprehensible'



A team assisting the Afghanistan evacuation effort by coordinating privately chartered flights out of the country for American citizens and foreign nationals is excoriating the Biden administration for "impeding" its efforts.

What are the details?

The operation, jumpstarted by Washington-based lobbyist Robert Stryk and former Republican congressman and Navy SEAL Scott Taylor, uses donor funds to arrange flights from Kabul to nearby countries for roughly the cost that commercial airlines were charging before the U.S. military withdrawal.

It aims to help vulnerable Americans and Afghanis who worked with the U.S. trapped inside the country amid the Taliban's takeover and the ensuing evacuation fiasco.

One would think that in the face of mounting criticism over its botched withdrawal, the Biden administration would take any help it could get, but amazingly that has not been the case, according to Stryk and Taylor.

Stryk — whose lobbying firm was paid by the Afghan government in 2017 for U.S. government affairs advice and defense consultation, among other things — told the Daily Caller this week that they have reached out to the administration "dozens and dozens" of times since Aug. 14 but have yet received a response.

Stryk said that White House staff confirmed they had received his communication, but never sent a follow-up message.

What are they saying?

"The Brits and South Africans have been f***ing awesome and heroic in getting people through the Mil Gate," Stryk told the Daily Caller, noting that the Biden administration, on the other hand, has been anything but heroic.

"What I am witnessing every day is the very best and the very worst of America," Stryk explained. "I have seen the humanity of private citizens who are contacting me and pledging their time, monies, and in some cases their lives to bring our citizens and these Afghan patriots out of harm's way, while at the time personally experiencing the Biden administration's abject failure to protect its citizens and those Afghans that fought and worked alongside of us.

"It's morally reprehensible," he added. "It's been the U.S. private sector who has stepped in to save the blood and treasure the Biden administration is leaving behind."

Taylor told the outlet that he has received thousands of requests from people hoping to flee Afghanistan and many requests from private donors trying to help the effort. But the process has been made difficult due to a lack of coordination from the U.S. government.

He called the lack of support from the Biden administration "frustrating" and "a massive f*** up."

"I can't get ahold of anybody," he said. "I understand that our country may be trying to control everything or maintain it, but in doing so, they're impeding things.

"And people are desperate and people are gonna die. People will die the longer this goes out, it's just gonna happen," he added.

What else?

The team has now reportedly partnered with Regulus Global, an organization that specializes in "medical, humanitarian, and national security missions."

Stryk made clear, "We're not waiting for the Biden administration to do that, we're doing it ourselves."

Taylor noted that "there are so many people that want to help and honestly, I'm very proud of the response of people who want to do anything."

Rep. Adam Schiff admits Americans and allies are 'unlikely' to be evacuated from Afghanistan by Aug. 31 deadline



Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California said Monday that the Biden administration was "unlikely" to be able to evacuate Americans and allies from Afghanistan by the Aug. 31 deadline.

Schiff, who is the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters that there were too many people left to evacuate after the Taliban takeover.

"I think it's possible but I think it's very unlikely," Schiff said after a classified intelligence briefing.

"Given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated, the number of [Special Immigrant Visas], the number of others who are members of the Afghan press, civil society leaders, women leaders. It's hard for me to imagine all of that can be accomplished between now and the end of the month," he continued.

"It's hard for me to see that being complete by the end of the month," Schiff added later.

The crisis in Afghanistan has worsened by the day as some Americans are reportedly being beaten by Taliban militants as they try to make their way to the airport in Kabul in an attempt to escape the country.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki angrily denied that Americans had been "stranded" in Afghanistan but videos and reports on social media continued to undermine that claim.

The Taliban on Monday warned President Joe Biden that there would be serious consequences if he ordered troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond the deadline.

Schiff expressed his worry that the airport was an attractive target for other terrorist groups.

"I think the threat to the airport is very real and very substantial and this has been a concern of mine for, for some days now that this would make a very attractive target for ISIS," he added.

He also appeared to support the claim from Biden that nobody expected the Afghan government to fall so quickly to the Taliban.

"The intelligence agencies assessments of the Afghan government's ability to maintain itself became increasingly pessimistic over the course of the last six months," said Schiff.

"And there were any number of warnings that the Taliban might take over," he added. "And some that included the potential of a very rapid takeover. At the same time, though, I think it's also fair to say that no one predicted such a rapid collapse, a rapid and complete collapse of Afghan government and forces."

He went on to say that there will be many meetings to investigate the intelligence that led to the unexpectedly quick fall of Afghanistan into the hands of the Taliban.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the U.S. evacuated 10,400 personnel out of Afghanistan on Sunday, and another 5,900 people on the same day.

Here are the comments from Rep. Schiff:

Adam Schiff CONTRADICTS Biden administration projections on withdrawal timeframewww.youtube.com

VP Harris insists admin is 'singularly focused' on Afghanistan during statement from Singapore while en route to California — to campaign for Gov. Newsom — by way of Vietnam



Vice President Kamala Harris claimed Monday that the Biden administration is "singularly focused" on resolving the unraveling situation in Afghanistan. But the nation's second-in-command won't even be back in Washington until next weekend.

Harris is currently in Singapore on the first leg of her second foreign trip since assuming office. On Tuesday, she'll head to Vietnam — which is ironic since the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has drawn comparisons to the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War.

Then she's off to Hawaii before finally returning stateside on Friday to focus on domestic policy by assisting Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom in his recall election fight.

But what about the pressing foreign policy catastrophe in Afghanistan where an unknown number of American citizens and legal permanent residents are still trapped, awaiting evacuation as Taliban forces sweep the country? There's plenty of time to address that, Harris claimed.

"I think there's going to be plenty of time to analyze what has happened and what has taken place in the context of the withdrawal from Afghanistan," the vice president said Monday during a news conference in Singapore, according to The Hill.

"But right now, we are singularly focused on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who worked with us, and Afghans who are vulnerable, including women and children," she insisted.

"There's no question there will be and should be a robust analysis of what has happened. But right now, there is no question that our focus has to be on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who worked with us, and vulnerable Afghans, including women and children. That has to be our primary focus and where we are placing our attention on the issue of Afghanistan," she reiterated.

That might be a difficult task to perform out-of-pocket. Nevertheless, Harris's plans to visit California have not been changed to this point.

The Sacramento Bee reported Friday that the vice president is expected to speak at a Newsom campaign rally in the Bay Area this upcoming Friday, where she will urge Californians to vote against the effort to recall the progressive governor.

"I am excited to join my friend and our vice president next week," Newsom reportedly said in a statement. "The stakes of this election couldn't be higher."

Harris's team confirmed the plans to the Bee.

To make matters worse, Harris undercut her own projected seriousness about the Afghanistan conflict by letting out a characteristic cackle when first questioned about it in Singapore.

Antony Blinken offers bizarre answer when asked if Biden does 'not know what's going on' in Afghanistan



Secretary of State Antony Blinken provided a bizarre answer Sunday when confronted by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace about President Joe Biden's level of knowledge about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.

Wallace began the interview by questioning Blinken over several statements that Biden has made about the Afghanistan crisis that were later contradicted by his own officials or proved wrong.

Among the topics that Biden got "flat wrong," Wallace asked Blinken about Biden's assertion of Americans being able to safety travel to the Kabul airport for evacuation, Biden's claim that Al Qaeda is not inside Afghanistan, and Biden's claim that U.S. allies are not questioning American "credibility." The truth is that Americans cannot travel safety to the Kabul airport, Al Qaeda is operating in Afghanistan, and many U.S. allies are questioning the Biden administration in the wake of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.

"Mr. Secretary, does the president not know what's going on?" Wallace asked Blinken.

However, instead of addressing Biden's cognizance, Blinken talked about the "emotional" nature of the crisis.

"This is an incredibly emotional time for many of us, and including allies and partners who have been shoulder-to-shoulder with us in Afghanistan for 20 years at high cost to themselves as well as to us," Blinken said.

Notably, Blinken did not go on to answer Wallace's question about Biden's situational awareness, instead only talking about American allies. So Wallace responded by pressing the question again.

"Sir, respectfully— look, I'm not questioning whether or not the allies have a right to complain. I'm not questioning whether or not Al Qaeda has a presence. The president said Al Qaeda is gone. It's not gone. The president said he's not heard any criticism from the allies. There's been a lot of criticism from the allies," Wallace said. "Words matter, and the words of the president matter most."

Again, Blinken did not address the question.

"Chris, all I can tell you is what I've heard," Blinken said. "And again, this is a powerfully emotional time for a lot of allies and partners, as it is for me, as it is for us."

Blinken's answer was described as not "entirely reassuring" and one that will "only... make things worse."

Wallace Confronts Blinken On Biden's Claims, Asks: “Does The President Not Know What's Going On?" www.youtube.com

CNN reporter slams Biden's disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal with the perfect description



CNN reporter Clarissa Ward, the network's chief foreign correspondent, chose the consummate word to describe President Joe Biden's disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal as she waited to depart Kabul on Friday.

What did Ward say?

While waiting inside the Kabul airport compound for her flight to Qatar, Ward — who had become the face of on-the-ground reporting from Kabul since the Taliban overtook the city — succinctly described Biden's withdrawal as an utter "failure."

"These kids behind me, sleeping on the gravel on a piece of cardboard box, are the lucky ones because there are many others, thousands of them, just outside the perimeter," Ward began. "I saw with my own eyes the Taliban fighters beating them, mothers throwing their babies trying to get them inside the airport compound.

"It is just a picture of desperation– of failure, as well, failure to protect our allies, failure to plan for this eventuality," she proclaimed.

Ward explained there is "a lot of bitterness" among people in Kabul that "every eventuality was not planned for, that evacuations did not begin earlier."

"Seeing these scenes, seeing this heartache, seeing this desperation, and seeing this chaos," Ward continued, "you have to ask yourself: 'Surely there was a better way, surely there was a better way.'"

CNN Reporter On Botched Afghanistan Withdrawal: “Failure To Protect Our Allies, Failure To Plan” www.youtube.com

Prior to departing Afghanistan, Ward directly contradicted Biden's claim that Americans trapped in Afghanistan were not experiencing difficulty reaching the Kabul airport.

"Working out how to get into this airport is like a Rubix cube," Ward said. "It's very difficult. It's very difficult. It's not a simple process at all."

"Technically, it's possible, but it's extremely difficult — and it is dangerous," Ward added.

Anything else?

Ward and her CNN team landed safety in Doha, Qatar, shortly before midnight EST on Saturday.

"Just landed in Doha with the team and nearly 300 Afghan evacuees. Huge thanks to all of you for your support and concern, to the US Air Force for flying us out and to Qatar for welcoming us. We are the lucky ones," Ward said.

Polls show Joe Biden's approval plummeting after disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal



The American public is souring on President Joe Biden after witnessing the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that his administration facilitated.

What are the details?

According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden's job performance has plummeted as Americans have witnessed his administration's Afghanistan blunder.

On Friday, the poll found that 53% of Americans approved of Biden's job performance. By Monday, that figure had fallen to 46%.

Unfortunately for Biden, the Reuters/Ipsos survey is not the only poll showing lopsided approval ratings. Rasmussen Reports surveys show similar figures — a majority of Americans disapprove of Biden's job performance, especially after the fall of Kabul — while polling averages from RealClearPolitics and FiveThirtyEight show a majority of Americans disapprove of Biden's job performance.

What about the Afghan withdrawal?

It's not just Biden. Americans, overall, are souring on withdrawing from Afghanistan.

In fact, a Morning Consult/Politico poll, conducted Aug. 13-16, showed that American support for the withdrawal plummeted 20 points in four months' time. In April, the poll found that 69% of registered voters supported the withdrawal. The most recent survey, however, showed that just 49% of registered voters continue to support the withdrawal after witnessing the Taliban's swift victory.

Support for the withdrawal dropped even further when respondents were confronted with the terrorism implications of America's botched Afghan withdrawal.

From Politico:

When asked whether the U.S. should still withdraw its military presence if this would create an opportunity for terrorist groups like al Qaeda to establish operations in Afghanistan, voters were less supportive. Just 35 percent of participants said the American military should withdraw in this case, with 48 percent saying it should not. This highlights the fear of terrorism coming from the country, as U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan began following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Of the voters surveyed, 38 percent said the U.S. should still withdraw if the Taliban regains control of most of Afghanistan. Forty-five percent of voters said the U.S. should probably or definitely not withdraw, a larger share than those who generally opposed the decision to withdraw.

Support for Biden's withdrawal is likely to drop even further.

Americans are being confronted with the Biden administration's potential abandonment of tens of thousands of Afghans — along with their families — who risked their lives to help America conduct its military mission in the country.

Seeing desperate Afghans cling to planes, some even falling to their tragic deaths, will drive support for the withdrawal, and Biden, further down.