Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl took issue with ABC News Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine claims after the Democratic presidential nominee opened up about his beliefs in a recent interview.
Pearl quoted Fox News Media contributor Jonathan Turley on Twitter Monday.
«How is this okay? How can the media just edit or censor what a candidate has said on an issue, in this case COVID, because ABC says it’s dangerous or misinformation? Isn’t it our job to listen to a candidate and determine what for us?» the longtime trainer tweeted.
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Pearl has been a full-time Division I college basketball coach since 2002. He started with Milwaukee and then moved to Tennessee in 2005. He became a coach at Auburn in 2014 after the Volunteers fired him after the 2010-season. eleven. season and the announcement of NCAA violations.
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl gestures toward the court during the second half against the Houston Cougars in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 18, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
He returned to coaching at Auburn in 2014 and has been with the Tigers ever since. Auburn went 21-13 overall in 2022-23 and made the NCAA Tournament.
On Friday, ABC News admitted to editing Kennedy’s comments after the news outlet pressed him on his stance on vaccines.
Journalist Linsey Davis issued a warning before the interview, telling viewers that President Biden’s challenger spread misinformation and misinformation about vaccines.
ABC NEWS ADMITS REDUCING RFK JR.’S VACCINE CLAIMS: ‘HE USED OUR EDITORIAL JUDGMENT’
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl is seen during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama . (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
«RFK Jr. is one of the leading voices driving anti-vaccine rhetoric, regularly distributing misinformation and misinformation about vaccines, which scientific and medical experts overwhelmingly say are safe and effective based on rigorous scientific studies,» he said. . «But can a Kennedy break through in 2024? Will RFK Jr.’s controversial stances limit his appeal?»
During the contentious 14-minute interview, Davis questioned the candidate not only about his beliefs about vaccines, but also about his willingness to take on President Biden as a Democratic candidate, his criticism of government agencies and his appearances on conservative media shows.
Later, the journalist acknowledged that they edited Kennedy’s comments on vaccines.
“We must keep in mind that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about COVID-19 vaccines,” he said. «We have used our editorial judgment in not including extended portions of that exchange in our interview,» Davis added.
ABC backed up its fact check by listing medical and advocacy organizations that disagreed with Kennedy’s statements on vaccines.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces his candidacy for President of the United States in a speech at Boston Park Plaza in Boston on April 19, 2023. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
«Data show that the COVID-19 vaccine has prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths from the disease. It also made misleading claims about the link between vaccination and autism. Research shows that vaccines and ingredients used in vaccines do not cause autism, including multiple studies involving more than a million children, and major medical associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the advocacy group Autism Speaks.»
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During the interview, Kennedy said he has been «vilified» for the past three years with «total blackout» by the media.
Fox News’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report.