Breitbart News has been under fire of late of what seems to be blatant support for Donald Trump. They are obviously free to support whatever candidate they like. The problem is that they have not made an endorsement in order to be transparent and their suspected support of Trump has bled over into the news instead of just opinion.
It is especially egregious when it leads to misleading headlines. Take for instance this headline: “Salt Lake Tribune – ‘Cruz in Utah: Glenn Beck Says He’s Fulfillment of Mormon Prophecy.‘”
The problem is that is not what the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
First take a look at the headline.
Glenn Beck wasn’t the story’s lede, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) was. Now here is what they actually reported:
Beck said that he, like many Mormons, believes in a prophecy that the Constitution will hang by a thread in the last days. He said he believes that now is that time, and people like Lee and Cruz will save it.
He also said the Book of Mormon was created as a guide on how to protect freedom in our day. At the Provo rally, many responded yelling, “I believe.”
Now as an evangelical I totally disagree with Mormon theology. I am also not an expert on what is considered Mormon prophecy so I am not going to comment on what it says or doesn’t say. I’m also not going to defend what Glenn Beck does or doesn’t say as he, at times, will say things I totally disagree with.
I will comment on what the Salt Lake Tribune reported. They reported that Beck said Mormon prophecy that says “the Constitution will hang by a thread in the last days.”
Mormon theology aside our Founders envisioned such a time as well.
John Adams once said, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.”
He also stated, “The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.”
Samuel Adams wrote, “If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”
Patrick Henry noted that losing our freedom will come as a result of our country turning its back on God. “It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains,” Henry wrote.
I could go on an on, but I digress.
Beck said, however, that people like Lee and Cruz will save the Constitution (perhaps the experienced patriots that Samuel Adams discussed). Nowhere does the original article state that Beck said “Cruz is the fulfillment of Mormon prophecy.” Brietbart published a blatantly dishonest headline.
They accurately quoted the Salt Lake City Tribune article, but unfortunately, too many people share articles without getting beyond the headline and they know it. This was a deliberate misquote in the headline.
How Andrew Breitbart would be disappointed with his namesake.
