The Trump campaign’s communications director Tim Murtaugh posted doctored photographs from the Washington Times showing a false headline about the outcome of the 2000 election.
On Sunday, Murtaugh posted images of the headline plastered around the kitchen of their headquarters. The false headline reads, “President Gore: Florida pushes Gore over the top with the majority.” The newspaper responded on Twitter saying the photos were not real.
“Those photos have been doctored. The Washington Times never ran a “President Gore” headline,” the Washington Times responded. “We also wish to add that Mr. Murtaugh has been officially notified via email about this error.”
“Greeting staff at @TeamTrump HQ this morning, a reminder that the media doesn’t select the President,” Murtaugh wrote in a caption with the photographs.
Those photos have been doctored. The Washington Times never ran a “President Gore” headline.
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 8, 2020
CNN’s K-File reporter Andrew Kaczynski noted the apparent “lede,” or first sentence, of the article appeared in an identical piece but was one that declared former President George W. Bush the winner of the election. “George W. Bush, the son of the president who was vanquished by the Clinton-Gore team eight years ago, avenged his father early this morning by defeating Al Gore, creating only the second father-son presidential dynasty in history,” the sentence reads.
Check it out, the lede on Tim’s newspaper saying Gore won mentions that Bush won. pic.twitter.com/pkbbAgVfME
— andrew kaczynski? (@KFILE) November 8, 2020
Over the weekend, several news outlets projected Joe Biden the winner of the general election. President Trump issued a statement through his campaign that the election “far from over” and wasn’t complete until being certified by the states.
“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” the statement reads. “In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.”
In a new tweet on Sunday, the president echoed sentiments from his supporters that the media doesn’t “call” winners of elections. “Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be? We have all learned a lot in the last two weeks!” the president tweeted.
Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be? We have all learned a lot in the last two weeks!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2020
