New information about The Wall Street Journal “journalist” Rebecca Ballhaus has sparked further concerns about her now dubious claim that, prior to President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Japan, the White House had ordered that the USS John McCain be moved “out of sight” during the president’s visit.
According to reports, Ballhaus has a history of misrepresenting the truth so as to portray the president in a negative light, be it as a racist, a sexist, an ignoramus, etc.
When asked two months ago whether or not he views white nationalism as a growing threat, for instance, the president replied, “I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems.” But instead of sharing the full quote, Ballhaus only shared this:
Trump, asked if he sees white nationalism as a growing threat around the world: “I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people.”
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) March 15, 2019
Notice anything missing?
When you leave out the part of the quote that negates the narrative you’re trying to push you really bolster the argument of all those complaining about media bias and #fakenews. I would expect more from the @WSJ, but I probably shouldn’t.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 17, 2019
Another edited quote. SMH
— Melissa6169 (@melissa6169) March 16, 2019
Hi, my name is Rebecca and I hate Trump. I hate him so much I take everything he says and think the opposite. I create division by doing so because I hate him. Just look now, I took something he said and shortened it to make it sound differently. I hate my life.
— Fabian Carrazana ?? (@SSGCarrazana) March 16, 2019
She edited the comment so that it better fits her narrative.. plain and simple. Manufactured reporting.
— Ryan Carlson (@rynocincibuck) March 17, 2019
She and a host of others in the media pulled the same stunt two years ago. During a White House women’s empowerment panel at the time, the president spoke about the women in American history.
“Among these patriots are women like the legendary Abigail Adams, right, who during the founding, urged her husband to remember the rights of women,” he said.
“He was very much a pioneer in that way. We’ve been blessed with courageous heroes like Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and went on to deliver hundreds of others to freedom, first in the underground railroad, and then as a spy for the Union army. She was very, very courageous, believe me.”
“And we’ve had leaders like Susan B. Anthony. Have you heard of Susan B. Anthony?” he then added.
He was clearly being sarcastic, since everybody over the age of five knows who she is.
Listen:
In response, Ballhaus and other “journalists” from The Washington Post, NBC News, HuffPost and Bloomberg voluntarily chose to trim his speech to the following five words:
“Have you heard of Susan B. Anthony?” asks Trump at a women’s empowerment event at the White House.
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) March 29, 2017
“Have you heard of Susan B. Anthony?” Trump asks at women’s empowerment event.
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) March 29, 2017
President Donald J Trump: “Have you heard of Susan B Anthony?”
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) March 29, 2017
“Have you heard of Susan B. Anthony?” -the President of the United States
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) March 29, 2017
“Have you heard of Susan B. Anthony?” the president asked a group of women today at the White House.
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) March 29, 2017
The implication was that Trump didn’t know who Anthony was.
These examples from Ballhaus’s past suggest that her most recent claim is false.
“A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the president’s trip, according to photos reviewed by the Journal, and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name,” she wrote in a report for The Wall Street Journal earlier this week.
“After the tarp was taken down, a barge was moved closer to the ship, obscuring its name. Navy officials acknowledge the barge was moved but said it was not moved to obscure the name of the ship.”
NEW: The White House wanted the USS John McCain “out of sight” for Trump’s visit to Japan. A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the trip, and sailors—who wear caps bearing the ship’s name—were given the day off for Trump’s visit. w/@gluboldhttps://t.co/6ugPceCOre pic.twitter.com/KuIoWJK5Kt
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) May 29, 2019
Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan was aware of the concern about the presence of the USS John McCain in Japan and approved measures to ensure it didn’t interfere w/Trump’s trip, a U.S. official said.https://t.co/6ugPceCOre
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) May 29, 2019
Ballhaus also claimed that Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan had played a role in ensuring that the USS John McCain not interfere with the president’s visit to Japan. But in a statement to the media Thursday morning, Shanahan denied knowing anything about this.
“What I read this morning was the first I heard about it,” he reportedly said. “I would never dishonor the memory of a great American patriot like Senator McCain… I’d never disrespect the young men and women who crew that ship.”
The U.S. Navy Office of Information, the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the president have also disputed Ballhaus’s report.
The name of USS John S. McCain was not obscured during the POTUS visit to Yokosuka on Memorial Day. The Navy is proud of that ship, its crew, its namesake and its heritage.
— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) May 30, 2019
Per @ckubeNBC: A spokesperson for US Pacific Fleet said the picture of the tarp is from Friday and it
was taken down on Saturday.“All ships remained in normal configuration
during POTUS’ visit,” CDR Nate Christensen said. https://t.co/6is616izgd— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) May 30, 2019
I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan. Nevertheless, @FLOTUS and I loved being with our great Military Men and Women – what a spectacular job they do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019
Senior Town Hall columnist Kurt Schlichter succinctly wrapped up the latest media fiasco with a snarky tweet:
A lot less talk about the USS Covington Kids scandal today after the Navy said WTF.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) May 30, 2019
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.
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