“60 Minutes” reporter Lesley Stahl theatrically scoffed at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unhinged claims that Democrats are a “pedophile party” during Sunday’s episode. (See the video below.)
But some critics of the Georgia Republican say the veteran journalist should have done more to refute the far-right congressman’s outlandish statements. Critics have grown weary of the mainstream news show, as it promotes Greene’s extremism by giving it air time.
Among his “over-the-top” statements, Stahl pointed out that Greene called Democrats “the party of pedophiles” last year.
“I would definitely say so,” Greene said. “They support grooming kids.”
“He’s not a pedophile. Why do you want to say that?” Stahl interrupted.
“Even Joe Biden, the president himself, supports children becoming sexual and undergoing transgender surgery,” Greene said while echoing the false GOP claim that trans-rights advocacy equates to child abuse. “Sexualizing children is what pedophiles are to children.”
An irritated Stahl muttered “wow,” rolled his eyes and made a popping noise.
Stahl moves on to what he says is the real point: Are name-calling and personal attacks necessary to “fight for what you believe in?”
Greene replied: “I would ask the same question to the other side. All they’ve done is call me names and insult me non-stop since I’ve been here.
Some viewers defends Stahl for disrespecting Greene’s falsehood by attempting to refute it. apart expected at journalist for push back and check reality.
Although many medical associations support gender-affirming care, Republicans nationwide have pushed a false narrative about trans youth and sought to deny them health care. Care for trans youth more commonly includes non-surgical methods.
And lying about Democratic support for pedophilia has proven dangerous: In 2016, for example, gunmen traveled hundreds of miles to target a pizza restaurant in Washington, DC based on false claims that Democrats abused children there.
Greene did not stop sharing the exchange with Stahl in a tweet on Sunday, writing: “I will always fight to protect children!”