CBS News faces accusations of media bias for its differing coverage of the ‘no taxes on tips’ proposal when presented by Donald Trump compared to Kamala Harris.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
In a striking example of media bias, CBS News has been criticized for its vastly different coverage of the ‘no taxes on tips’ proposal when put forth by former President Donald Trump versus Vice President Kamala Harris. The discrepancy has raised questions about the objectivity of legacy media and their role in shaping public perception.
The issue came to light when Vice President Kamala Harris recently introduced the idea of eliminating taxes on tips during a campaign event in Las Vegas. This proposal was notably similar to one previously put forth by Donald Trump in June, yet the media’s coverage of the two instances could not have been more different.
When Trump first proposed the idea, CBS News reported, “Former President Donald Trump’s vow to stop taxing tips would cost the federal government up to $250 billion over 10 years, according to a nonpartisan watchdog group.” The coverage highlighted the potential financial impact on the federal government, framing the proposal in a negative light.
Former President Donald Trump's vow to stop taxing tips would cost the federal government up to $250 billion over 10 years, according to a nonpartisan watchdog group. https://t.co/wBHm0T9ocL
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 17, 2024
However, when Harris introduced the same concept, CBS News took a markedly different tone. The network reported, “Vice President Kamala Harris is rolling out a new policy position, saying she’ll fight to end taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers.” The coverage lacked the critical lens applied to Trump’s proposal, instead presenting Harris’s stance as a positive initiative for workers.
Vice President Kamala Harris is rolling out a new policy position, saying she'll fight to end taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers. https://t.co/ujUjFYem3Z
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 12, 2024
Adding to the controversy, Breitbart News pointed out that Harris’s current stance contradicts her previous actions. In 2022, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated $80 billion in additional funding to the IRS. This funding was used, in part, to intensify efforts to tax service industry workers’ tips, directly opposing her current campaign rhetoric.
This apparent flip-flop has not gone unnoticed. Social media users quickly highlighted the contradiction, accusing Harris of “plagiarizing” Trump’s campaign ideas while simultaneously reversing her previous position on the issue. The revelation became a top trend on (formerly Twitter), where users criticized Harris for her inconsistency and the media for failing to hold her accountable.
Furthermore, CBS News’s framing of the story has been called into question. In a recent video, the network described Harris’s proposal as “an idea the Trump campaign is accusing her of stealing from them,” subtly downplaying the significance of the issue and avoiding a deeper exploration of Harris’s policy reversal.
One of the first new policies Kamala Harris has introduced in her presidential campaign is eliminating taxes on tips for service workers — an idea the Trump campaign is accusing her of stealing from them.@weijia asked at Monday's White House press briefing about where the idea… pic.twitter.com/8I24WaRdCU
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 12, 2024
This incident exemplifies why former President Trump has often labeled the media as the “enemy of the people.” The contrasting coverage by CBS News underscores the ongoing concerns about media bias and the role of legacy media in influencing public discourse. As the 2024 election approaches, such discrepancies in coverage are likely to remain a focal point for those questioning the fairness and balance of mainstream media outlets.
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