2020 Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Warren, Pressley introduce bill to make it a crime for police officers to deny medical care to people in custody Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers MORE on Monday doubled down on her criticism of Fox News, saying that some of the network’s commentators have “deeply distorted” issues surrounding abortion.
The comments came after the New York senator sparred with Fox News anchor Chris WallaceChristopher (Chris) WallaceChris Wallace to Colbert: US hasn’t seen this level of unrest since 1968 Chris Wallace to ‘The View’: Trump had a ‘very bad week’ for his reelection prospects Economic adviser on positive news: ‘The worst thing we can do right now is relax’ MORE after he questioned if it was “polite” of her to criticize the network’s coverage during a Fox News town hall on Sunday.
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“I wanted to make this point clear that this issue about women’s reproductive freedom has been deeply distorted by commentators on Fox News that are trying to create this myth that decisions about reproductive care and the rights of a woman to decide when she’s having kids and how many she’s having, and under what circumstances she’s having them, is somehow an issue about infanticide,” Gillibrand told BuzzFeed News.
“Because it’s not. [Infanticide is] illegal, it’s a red herring, and it’s just not true. So I want to talk about truth and I want to speak truth to power and I believe that Fox News has to be responsible for truth and fact.”
She added, “We all have a responsibility to tell the truth and fight against fear, hate, and division that’s really pervaded across America under President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.”
Gillibrand on Sunday became the latest 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to appear in a town hall event hosted by Fox News. While answering a question from a retired neonatal nurse about third-trimester abortion, Gillibrand criticized the news network for its coverage.
“What we have created, unfortunately, is a false choice and a false narrative. And Chris, I want to talk about the role that Fox News plays in this because it’s a problem. I can tell you before President Trump gave his State of the Union, Fox News talked about infanticide. Infanticide doesn’t exist,” Gillibrand said.
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Wallace took issue with her criticism, noting that the network had brought her onto its airwaves for an hour and it was treating her fairly.
“I understand that maybe to make your credentials with the Democrats who are not appearing on Fox News, you’re going to attack us,” Wallace said. “I’m not sure it’s frankly very polite when we’ve invited you to be here.”
Gillibrand replied that she’d “do it in a polite way” before Wallace asked her to answer the question instead of talking about Fox News.
Gillibrand later said that “what happens on Fox News is relevant because they talked about infanticide for 6.5 hours … right before President Trump’s State of the Union, mentioned it 35 times.” “That is not the debate of what access to reproductive care is in this country. It doesn’t happen. It’s illegal. It’s not a fact. And I believe all of us have a responsibility to talk about facts,” she added. Gillibrand’s campaign took a dig at Wallace’s remarks on Monday by selling canvas totes with the quote “frankly, not very polite” emblazoned across the front. Gillibrand’s town hall with Fox News averaged 834,000 viewers, according to early Nielsen Media Research numbers shared by the network. Her appearance came as many 2020 Democratic candidates weigh the benefits of appearing on the network. Sens Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg have appeared at the network’s town halls. Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), by contrast, has vowed to never appear in a town hall hosted by the network.