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Stewart becomes a lesson about today’s media
Yesterday morning we told you about Rep. Chris Stewart’s tense interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo where they butted heads over QAnon.
During that interview, Stewart falsely claimed he voted to strip Greene of her committee assignments in February for her past statements supporting political violence or extreme anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic statements.
At the end of Tuesday night’s show, CNN host Don Lemon asked Cuomo if Stewart had corrected what he said.
Lemon: “Did you ever hear back from Chris Stewart’s office?”
Cuomo: “No. Daniel Dale was told by his office he misspoke.”
Lemon: “He what?!”
Lemon’s face when he heard Stewart’s claim that he “misspoke” is amazing.
(Screengrab via Grabien) CNN's Don Lemon reacts to Rep. Chris Stewart's claim he "misspoke" when he claimed he voted to strip Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee assignments in February 2021. Stewart made the claim during an interview on Chris Cuomo's show.
Lemon: “I thought it was pretty clear. Do they actually think like maybe they’re used to going on platforms where they are not challenged and that people will just sort of buy whatever it is that they are saying an just move on as if it’s gospel?”
Cuomo: “Yes, and he has an advantage. His side doesn’t care if he lies or misspeaks or gets it wrong or fudges because he was just trying to win the fight. It doesn’t matter because I’m worse. It doesn’t matter because he’s their guy. It doesn’t matter because he’s still in the right because he’s being victimized.”
Cuomo then pilloried Stewart for not reaching out to correct the record.
Cuomo: “I don’t know how you forget the only vote on the issue that you took that just happened that was covered by everybody, but I’ll give him the benefit.”
Lemon: “How long did the misspoke thing take to...”
Cuomo: “They never answered us.”
Lemon: “How easy is that to say, oh wait a minute. I was just on with Chris and I said something wrong. I better have my people call him and explain that’s not what I meant. That would have taken all of, what, five minutes?”
Cuomo: “They don’t have to admit any mistakes because their side doesn’t care. All they’re saying on the right fringes is what about this? What about that? What about these people? What about the Democrats? Why don’t you talk about this?”
Lemon: “But we gotta hold them accountable.”
Watch the whole segment below.
Here’s what you need to know for Wednesday morning
Utah news
Utah can’t duplicate programs in other states that offer cash prizes or other incentives for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Utah Legislature put language in the bill spending millions of dollars of federal pandemic relief money that specifically blocks using any of the money for a vaccine incentive program. [Tribune]
An assistant Utah A.G. apologized after sending an obscenity-filled email to a Salt Lake City Council candidate, saying he was upset he was woken up from a nap. [Tribune]
A brutal audit of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food found poor record-keeping left the department vulnerable to “fraud, theft and other serious risks.” [Tribune]
The Salt Lake City Council approved a $358 million budget on Tuesday. It includes more money for police and a 2 percent raise for employees. There are no tax hikes, but user fees will go up. [Tribune]
The protesters who smashed windows and painted streets at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office last year have agreed to a plea deal. [Tribune]
The Pack Creek Fire near Moab could burn for weeks. Containment efforts have cost $2.6 million so far. [Tribune]
Salt Lake City tied the hottest temperature on record Tuesday, hitting 107 degrees. [Tribune]
National news
Allen Weisselberg, the long-serving financial officer for the Trump organization, could face charges as soon as this summer. [NYT]
President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Switzerland today. [Politico]
Newly released emails show former President Trump and his allies relentlessly pressured the Justice Department to pursue false allegations the election had been stolen to reverse Trump’s loss. [CNN]
FBI Director Chris Wray says his agency is hunting down “hundreds” of people connected with the Capitol attack. [NYT]
Former President Trump says he will visit the U.S.-Mexico border with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott later this month. [Reuters]
21 House Republicans voted against legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6 attack. [The Hill]
The death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic hit 600,000 on Tuesday. [AP]
The CDC calls the Delta COVID-19 variant a “variant of concern,” which means it’s more transmissible or can cause more severe disease. [CNN]
A National Institutes of Health study suggests the coronavirus may have been spreading in the U.S. as early as December 2019. [WaPo]
A new report says the U.S. housing market needs 5.5 million more units than are currently available, which is why housing prices are spiking. [WSJ]
The Israeli military launched airstrikes against Hamas on Wednesday. [Reuters]
Retail sales in May dropped 1.3 percent. Americans are spending more on travel and less on consumer goods. [AP]
Morgan Stanley Chief Executive James Gorman says he expects staffers to return to the office full time by Labor Day or face a pay cut. [NY Post]
The Senate voted unanimously to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The House is expected to pass the measure as well. [AP]
Curtis’ car coda
On Monday, we shared the unfortunate story of Rep. John Curtis and his stolen car.
Curtis had his wheels swiped from the airport in Washington, D.C., then wrapped around a pole.
Curtis’s office staff sent along this photo of Curtis and his, now totaled, ride.
(Photo courtesy Rep. John Curtis's office) Utah Rep. John Curtis with his car that was stolen and totaled.
Ouch!
Wednesday’s Utah news roundup
Utah
Utah’s ski resorts really did see more skiers and snowboarders last season. [Tribune]
University of Utah police chief raises whistleblower claim, says school ‘scapegoated’ him in wake of McCluskey case. [KSL]
Salt Lake City searches for 300 more beds as homeless camp in Rio Grande cleaned up again. [KUTV]
Park City Council candidate’s signs ‘stomped into the ground’. [Park Record]
COVID-19
There are no new COVID-19 deaths in Utah for three days in a row. [Tribune]
Here’s where to still get a COVID-19 test, with Utah providers reducing sites and hours. [Tribune]
Environment
Heat-related police calls increase as temperatures rise. [FOX13]
Education
President of Southern Utah University — a champion for not increasing tuition — will step down this year. [Tribune]
Utah oversight of charter schools ‘unclear,’ has gaps in accountability, audit finds. [KSL]
Washington
Senate approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. [Tribune]
Why Sen. Mike Lee says now isn’t the time for Congress to consider citizenship for ‘Dreamers’. [DNews]
On the Opinion Pages
Sim Gill as Utah’s top prosecutor? These candidates are less divisive, Robert Gehrke says. [Tribune]
Jonathon Golden: What do we owe wildland firefighters? [Tribune]
Devin Thorpe: Republicans have a point on climate change. [Tribune]
🎂 You say it’s your birthday?!!
Happy birthday to Maryann Martindale, executive director for Utah Academy of Family Physicians.
Got a birthday you’d like us to recognize in this space? Send us an email.
— Tribune reporter Connor Sanders contributed to this report.
