AP Corrects Quote
The Associated Press (AP) found itself in hot water on Thursday after misquoting Senator JD Vance on the sensitive issue of school shootings, sparking massive backlash.
Vance, who was speaking at a rally in Phoenix, expressed frustration that school shootings have tragically become a “fact of life” in America, while urging for better security measures to protect students.
“If these psychos are going to go after our kids, we’ve got to be prepared for it,” Vance said. “We don’t have to like the reality that we live in, but it is the reality we live in. We’ve got to deal with it.” Vance emphasized the need to bolster school security, calling for measures that would make schools less vulnerable to attacks.
Holy crap, the @AP has become one of the most intentionally dishonest outlets in the entire country. Here is what @JDVance actually said: “I don’t like that this is a fact of life.”
CC @CommunityNotes https://t.co/EsjzdixsL6 pic.twitter.com/Z8uqRe9XUp
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) September 6, 2024
The controversy began when the AP initially published a report that mischaracterized Vance’s comments, quoting him only as saying that school shootings were a “fact of life,” while leaving out the crucial context of his call for stronger security. The truncated quote made it seem as though Vance was resigned to the issue, rather than actively advocating for solutions.
After a wave of criticism, the AP revised its report and issued a correction, changing the headline to: “JD Vance says he laments that school shootings are a ‘fact of life’ and calls for better security.” In an effort to explain the mistake, the AP added, “This post replaces an earlier post that was deleted to add context to the partial quote from Vance.”
This post replaces an earlier post that was deleted to add context to the partial quote from Vance.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 6, 2024
However, the damage was done. Vance’s spokesperson, William Martin, issued a scathing statement to Breitbart News, accusing the AP of deliberately misrepresenting the senator’s comments. “This is yet another case of the fake news media brazenly lying about a Republican politician. Senator Vance said exactly the opposite of what the Associated Press claimed,” Martin said.
He went on to claim that the AP’s actions were part of a broader agenda to undermine Republicans while propping up Democratic leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris. “It should come as no surprise that the AP lost any and all credibility it had years ago,” Martin continued. He contrasted Vance’s stance on school safety with Harris, accusing her of advocating to remove police officers from schools, a move Martin said would put children at greater risk.