Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand criticizes Fox News' coverage of abortion rights while on Fox News
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) seized the opportunity to slam Fox News while appearing on Fox News Sunday night, criticizing the cable channel for the role it plays in perpetuating a "false narrative" about abortion.
The 2020 presidential candidate attended a town hall hosted by the network on Sunday night in Dubuque, Iowa, and fielded a question about late-term abortions. "A woman should be able to decide when she's having children, how many children she's having, and under what circumstances," Gillibrand said. There is a "false choice and a false narrative" surrounding abortion rights, she continued, and Fox News helps spread it.
Before President Trump's last State of the Union address, Fox News talked about infanticide for six-and-a-half hours, Gillibrand said. "Infanticide doesn't exist," she declared, before getting interrupted by moderator Chris Wallace. Fox News is "treating you fairly," he said, and even though she might be trying to score points with Democrats by calling the channel out, "I'm not sure it's frankly very polite when we've invited you to be here."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Promising she would denounce the network cordially, Gillibrand went on, saying the "debate about whether or not women should have reproductive freedom has turned into a red herring debate. And what happens on Fox News is relevant, because they talked about infanticide for 6.5 hours ... mentioned it 35 times." The discussion about access to reproductive care in the U.S. has nothing to do with infanticide, as "it doesn't happen," Gillibrand said. "It's illegal. It's not a fact. I believe all of us have a responsibility to talk about the facts." Watch her remarks below. Catherine Garcia
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Rupert Murdoch's behind-closed-doors succession court battle
The Explainer Media mogul's legal dispute with three of his children over control of his influential empire begins today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Rupert Murdoch is in a 'Succession'-style rift with his kids over his media empire
The Explainer Murdoch and his son Lachlan are attempting to maintain his empire's conservative swing following his eventual death
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Laurence Fox suspended by GB News after 'unacceptable' Ava Evans comments
Speed Read Broadcaster issues apology after actor goes on a tirade during a live interview with Dan Wootton
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Rupert Murdoch steps down: a legacy of power and scandal
Talking Point Lachlan Murdoch succeeds his father as head of media empire
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Fox News apologizes to Gold Star family for false story Marine Corps called 'disgusting'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Is Geraldo Rivera too liberal for Fox News?
Talking Point The longtime Fox News vet has parted ways with the network after being removed from the political roundtable show "The Five"
By Theara Coleman Published
-
CNN in crisis
Speed Read Hemorrhaging viewers post-Trump, CNN is trying to broaden its appeal. Can it get Republicans to tune in?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Fox News: the high price of peddling lies
In Depth Murdoch is ‘unlikely to change his ways’ despite record settlement
By The Week Staff Published