CNN edits out Clinton reference to NY explosion as ‘bombing’

by Joe Concha - 09/18/16 12:20 PM ET

Hillary Clinton address the NYC explosion and says she will have more to say "when we actually know some facts" https://t.co/eWR5Drx1sd

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 18, 2016

CNN edited out the opening sentence of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s statement during breaking news coverage of an explosion in New York City that injured 29 people.

{mosads}Clinton was on board her campaign plane Saturday night when she addressed the press following the explosion in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood.

According to an ABC News transcript below, Clinton called the attacks in New York and New Jersey “bombings” before criticizing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump — who also referred to the explosion as a “bomb” — in an attempt to show contrast between the temperament of the two candidates, who are deadlocked in the polls.

Clinton: I’ve been briefed about bombings in New York and New Jersey, and the attacks in Minnesota. Obviously, we need to do everything we can to support our first responders, also to pray for the victims. We have to let this investigation unfold. We’ve been in touch with various officials, including the mayor’s office in New York, to learn what they are discovering as they conduct this investigation. And I’ll have more to say about it when we actually know the facts.

Reporter: Secretary Clinton, do you have any reaction to the fact that Donald Trump, immediately upon taking the stage tonight, called the explosion in New York a “bomb” … ?

Clinton: Well, I think it’s important to know the facts about any incident like this. That’s why it’s critical to support the first responders, the investigators who are looking into it, trying to determine what did happen.

But in showing Clinton’s comments moments after they were made, CNN edited out the first sentence when she said, “I’ve been briefed about bombings in New York and New Jersey, and the attacks in Minnesota.” The soundbite starts with Clinton’s call to support first responders.

In a CNN.com article entitled “Trump says ‘bomb went off in New York,’ ” reporter Jeremy Diamond doesn’t mention Clinton used similar language until the seventh paragraph of the story, after contrasting statements by Trump and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The press has since largely slammed Trump for referring to the explosion as a “bomb” too soon.

Other major media outlets also failed to mention Clinton in focusing on Trump:

The Latest on NYC blast: Donald Trump declared “bomb went off” in Chelsea before officials released any details. https://t.co/T1Hbd5wRB2

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 18, 2016