A significant disparity emerged Thursday night in how network news outlets covered explosive allegations from two IRS whistleblowers. These whistleblowers claim that officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and IRS interfered with the Hunter Biden investigation. While NBC Nightly News dedicated airtime to the story, both ABC’s World News Tonight and CBS Evening News omitted it from their broadcasts.
According to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), the whistleblowers' testimony reveals misconduct and government abuse within the IRS and FBI concerning the Hunter Biden investigation. Smith stated that the testimony details how the Biden Justice Department intervened to protect the president's son by obstructing the investigation into Hunter Biden's alleged tax offenses.
Hunter Biden recently agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and enter a diversion program related to a felony gun charge. NewsBusters reported that CBS News, instead of covering the whistleblower allegations, focused on the missing Titanic submersible, a frozen food recall, and FDA action against flavored cigarettes. ABC News, similarly, dedicated a substantial portion of its broadcast to the submersible story.
NBC Nightly News provided a concise report on the whistleblowers' claims. Anchor Lester Holt introduced the segment, highlighting the allegations of interference in the Hunter Biden investigation. Correspondent Garrett Haake elaborated, explaining that the IRS agents allege preferential treatment was given to the president's son during the five-year tax investigation. Haake further reported that attempts by the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney to pursue more serious charges were allegedly blocked. The DOJ denied any interference.
Significantly, Haake also mentioned an unverified WhatsApp message purportedly from Hunter Biden to a Chinese business associate, referencing his father's involvement in a business deal. NBC News clarified they had not yet authenticated the message. The White House affirmed President Biden's commitment to allowing the investigation to proceed without political interference, while Hunter Biden's legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
