Journalists and commentators misrepresented White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany's comments on Thursday about President Donald Trump's support for reopening U.S. schools in the fall.
What she said: Speaking at a press briefing, McEnany addressed concerns that sending children back to school could worsen the coronavirus pandemic, saying the "science should not stand in the way."
- McEnany went on to cite research on the subject, saying, "science is on our side."
- But her comments were widely reported out of context, creating the false impression that the White House was rejecting science.
Here are a few of the takes by leading news outlets, members of the media, politicians and pundits.
The Washington Post:
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on school reopenings:
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 16, 2020
"The science should not stand in the way of this.” pic.twitter.com/w6H9DM0uTV
Jim Acosta, CNN chief white house correspondent:
The White House Press Secretary on Trump's push to reopen schools: "The science should not stand in the way of this."
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) July 16, 2020
(A followup clarifying tweet by Acosta received much less engagement.)
McEnany went on to say "the science is on our side here." https://t.co/IxRbVtESSF
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) July 16, 2020
Joaquin Castro, failed 2020 presidential candidate:
“The science should not stand in the way” of schools reopening?
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) July 16, 2020
Is this a joke?
The Trump Administration is reckless, unprepared and unqualified to govern. https://t.co/mGCcCva4AG
Rep. Ted Lieu, California Democrat:
THIS STATEMENT IS INSANE. https://t.co/pYahia5Xun
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 16, 2020
Bill Nye, science guy:
White House says, science should not stand in the way of reopening schools? I guess it’s good to have it spelled out. The administration is generally not in favor of science. Might surprise a few of us. My O My... science out of the way?? pic.twitter.com/JzghxaQCZg
— Bill Nye (@BillNye) July 16, 2020
Ken White, attorney and blogger:
"The science should not stand in the way of this" is an excellent way to explain your third-grader's artistic take on what a volcano looks like. It is not a way to run a pandemic.
— MyBeansLetMeShowYouThemHat (@Popehat) July 16, 2020
McEnany later set the record straight in a tweet of her own, slamming what she called a "Case Study in Media Bias."
- "[L]eave it to the media to deceptively suggest I was making the opposite point!" she said.
For the record: In making the case for Trump's demand that U.S. schools reopen, McEnany cited data showing minimal fallout in many European countries and research finding low-risk from COVID-19 to children in North America.
- She also appealed to the expert opinion of former Stanford Neuroradiology Chief Dr. Scott Atlas
- "We encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science. Open our schools," McEnany said.