Media reported on Border Patrol agents allegedly “whipping” Haitians crossing the border. It never happened and is literally fake news.
Summary
Social media exploded with reports of Border Patrol agents using a whip against Haitians. It eventually made its way into mainstream reporting.
- Politico hedged its reporting by saying Border Patrol agents on horseback were reported to “menacingly” use “what appeared to be whips on migrants.”
- Homeland Security officials defended its agents’ actions, saying they saw nothing wrong with the videos and images and that whips are not in practice. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said they were long reins “to control their horses.”
- The Biden White House is not on the same page, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki scolding the imaginary use of whips, saying “I can’t imagine what context would make that appropriate.”
- This fake controversy comes on the heels of an actual controversy: The detention of more than 10,000 Haitians arrested for illegal entry into the United States.
- The situation is so bad, Homeland Security is requesting assistance from the Department of Defense to move and house those entering the United State illegally.
- NBC News lied about the use of whips.
- New York Magazine lied about the use of whips.
- Miami Herald lied about the use of whips.
- Vice lied about the use of whips.
- RedState debunked the alleged story and detailed other mainstream outlets peddling the fake news.
- Fox News did the same, highlighting social media posts from alleged unbiased reporters such as PBS’s White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor. Alcindor is the reporter who recently was more concerned about color coordination than asking President Biden any questions.
- New York Post emphasized Secretary Mayorkas’ remarks that the agents were using their long reins to keep people from getting too close to their horse. The Post also mentioned Twitter responses from Squad members AOC and Rashid Tlaib.
Author’s Take
The mainstream media’s actions in this instance are not incompetence, these aren’t mistakes. This is a willful attempt to gaslight the American people. This incident is reminiscent of the Nicholas Sandmann incident in which brief clips and still frames were used to smear and defame a high school student. Border Patrol agents are now the target of a frothed-up mob of media elites and progressive Twitter agitators. It’s disgusting and reporters peddling this nonsense should be ashamed of themselves.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2021
