ABC News suspended correspondent David Wright after he was recorded commenting on Pres. Trump, Kobe Bryant, socialism and political coverage.
In the recording released by conservative activists Project Veritas, Wright said he was socialist, called Trump “this f***ing president and a “d**k,” called for national health insurance, commented that the horse race, there are “too many billionaires” and “a wealth gap,” and remarked on the “self-promotional” and “profit center” nature of ABC tie-ins for parent company Disney. He commented that ABC News reporter Matt Gutman”f**ked up” when he reported that all of Kobe Bryant’s daughters were killed. (Gutman was suspended for that error, as iMediaEthics reported.)
The video also showed ABC News producer Andy Fies, but he is not in the video as prominently.
Project Veritas was founded by James O’Keefe. On its website it says the video was recorded at a hotel bar.
Wright added the media doesn’t “hold [Trump] to account. We also don’t give him credit for what things he does do. We’re interested in three things: the outrage of the day, the investigation, and the palace intrigue of who’s backstabbing whom.”
ABC News said in a statement to iMediaEthics: “Any action that damages our reputation for fairness and impartiality or gives the appearance of compromising it harms ABC News and the individuals involved. David Wright has been suspended, and to avoid any possible appearance of bias, he will be reassigned away from political coverage when he returns.”