Editor of Trumpet Newsmagazine clarifies mistatements by Tim Russert regarding Min. Louis Farrakhan and Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Categories: African-American, Politics and Elections, Religion and Faith
Written By: Shawn Williams
We all know that Tim Russert attempted to “swift boat” Senator Barack Obama (and Clinton for that matter) in last Tuesday’s debate. Russert decided to take the debate off the issues and turn it into a muckraking session.
Russert asked Obama about comments made by Minister Louis Farrakhan as well as comments about Min. Farrakhan that he attributed to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I received an email this morning with information from the Managing Editor of Trumpet Newsmagazine. Her message clarifies the bad information that’s been out there as well as the bad information Russert gave during the debate.
To whom it may concern:
I write to bring some journalistic clarity to what has become a widespread
Over the last few weeks, I have watched in disbelief as seasoned journalists and
Those words are now familiar to you, especially after Tuesday night’s debate and
As a well-trained journalist, I know the most basic fact checking would have
Rhoda McKinney Jones
Managing Editor
Trumpet Newsmagazine
Graduate of
Don’t have time today, but I will have more on this in the days to come.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
There are and will be ties to Obama and Farrakahn. Why deny it!
Farrakhan: Stick With Obama
CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2008
(AP) Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Thursday that any of his backers who also support presidential candidate Barack Obama shouldn’t be dissuaded by the senator’s denunciation of Farrakhan during a Democratic debate.
His statement comes after Obama was asked during Tuesday’s televised debate with Democratic presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton about Farrakhan’s support for the Obama campaign. Obama said he denounces Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic remarks and rejects his support.
Farrakhan sent an unsolicited statement Thursday to The Associated Press that he said was meant to respond to “outrage expressed by many” over Obama’s comments.
“Those who have been supporting Sen. Barack Obama should not allow what was said during the Feb. 26 presidential debate to lessen their support for his campaign. This is simply mischief making intended to hurt Mr. Obama politically.”
Farrakhan later clarified that by “mischief making” he was referring to the questions posed by debate moderator Tim Russert, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
The issue arose Sunday, when Farrakhan praised Obama before a large Nation of Islam gathering, even comparing him to the religion’s founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father.
“A black man with a white mother became a savior to us,” Farrakhan said Sunday. “A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall.”
The Obama campaign moved quickly to distance itself from Farrakhan. Just hours after the address, the campaign said, “Senator Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan’s past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister’s support.”
Farrakhan has drawn widespread attention in the past for making anti-Semitic remarks, including calling Judaism a “gutter religion.” In recent years, officials with the Nation of Islam have said they favor unity and tolerance among religions, and Farrakhan now often quotes the texts of other religions in his speeches.
During Tuesday’s debate, Russert pressed Obama about whether he accepts Farrakhan’s support. The senator responded that while both he and Farrakhan live in Chicago, that’s where their ties end.
“I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic comments. I think that they are unacceptable and reprehensible,” Obama said. “I did not solicit this support.”
Following an exchange with Clinton, he then added: “There’s no formal offer of help from Minister Farrakhan that would involve me rejecting it. But if the word ‘reject’ Senator Clinton feels is stronger than the word ‘denounce,’ then I’m happy to concede the point, and I would reject and denounce.”
March 1st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Speaking of renouncing, denouncing and rejecting, IMHO McCain needs to renounce and reject Hagee, and MSNBC needs to renounce and reject Tim Russert. Whichever comes first, I don’t care.
Russert’s true calling is to be found on Faux News, because he’s not a journalist. There’s not a polite word for what he is.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Why does McCain need to reject Hagee? He did not sit in Hagee’s pew for 20 years.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Rhonda Jones is NOT the managing editor of the Trumpet. Jerri Wright (Pastor Wright’s daughter) in the editor (Rhonda is her friend). The above letter was an attempt to have someone not related to Pastor Wright reply about the comments. If you are going to tell the truth, tell the WHOLE TRUTH!!!
June 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
In as much as C.W. raised the issue, is not Jeri Wright, the daughter of Pastor Wright, the editor-in-chief of the Trumpet Magazine, not Rhonda Jones, and don’t you have an obligation to confirm or deny that?
Isn’t it also true that Minister Farrakhan has made some extremely anti-Semitic and anti-White comments in the past but after a near fatal illness has become more inclined to preach Black self improvement with racial and religious reconciliation?