Ari Fleischer rips media for coverage of Pence walkout: ‘Bias in action’

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer early Monday ripped the media for its coverage of Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to walk out of an Indianapolis Colts game over a protest during the national anthem.

“Unbelievable. The MSM has been more critical of VP Pence for taking a stand than they have been of players for taking a knee,” he tweeted.

“Bias in action: Pence walking out is a ‘stunt’. Players taking a knee is genuine. The MSM really doesn’t get it.” 

Unbelievable. The MSM has been more critical of VP Pence for taking a stand than they have been of players for taking a knee.

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) October 9, 2017

Bias in action: Pence walking out is a “stunt”. Players taking a knee is genuine. The MSM really doesn’t get it.

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) October 9, 2017

Pence on Sunday left the game after several San Francisco 49ers kneeled during the national anthem. Pence said he didn’t want to dignify an event that didn’t respect the flag.

President Trump praised Pence for his decision to leave the NFL game.

But some have accused Pence of carrying out a political stunt and raised questions about the vice president using government travel to go to the game in Indianapolis.

“CAN WE JUST MAKE IT THROUGH A WEEKEND WITHOUT THIS ADMINISTRATION ABUSING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WITH JET TRAVEL!?” watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington tweeted Sunday.

An Indianapolis sports columnist also accused Pence of using the game to stage a political stunt and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the move a “multi million dollar political stunt paid for by taxpayers.”

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Monday pushed back against the accusations, saying that calling Pence’s actions a stunt was “offensive” and “outrageous.”