A local CBS affiliate was widely criticized online this week for its coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris’ past support of the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
“Trump falsely accuses Harris of donating to Minnesota Freedom Fund, bailing out ‘dangerous criminals,’” reads a headline of a story written by WCCO reporter Esme Murphy.
The article drew a community note on the social media platform X, which said that “Kamala has promoted MFF in the past and her X post supporting it is still active (for now).”
If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota. https://t.co/t8LXowKIbw
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 1, 2020
The WCCO article has more than seven million views on X and more than 14,000 replies as users continue to pan the outlet’s coverage.
“You clowns literally asked her about it,” RNC Research wrote, providing a clip of Murphy asking Harris about her support of the Minnesota Freedom Fund during a 2022 interview.
You clowns literally asked her about it pic.twitter.com/KIBR8uMSFb https://t.co/IQ5SOU6XNx
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 26, 2024
“CBS lies about Trump lying,” said billionaire Elon Musk along with a screenshot of the article.
CBS lies about Trump lying pic.twitter.com/GLmm8u6Mqr
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2024
“Kamala is using her likeness to raise money for the Minnesota Freedom Fund right now. She never shut down the fundraising link. It’s still active—Kamala 2020 campaign logo and all,” noted Washington Free Beacon reporter Andrew Kerr.
Kamala is using her likeness to raise money for the Minnesota Freedom Fund right now.
She never shut down the fundraising link. It's still active—Kamala 2020 campaign logo and all.
I'll even post the link to it below so you can see for yourself! https://t.co/4asKEFVM8q pic.twitter.com/DHujXoXZk9
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) July 26, 2024
The Minnesota Freedom Fund was promoted during the 2020 George Floyd riots by Harris and other celebrities, who encouraged people to donate to the fund to help protesters pay for bail.
The fund raised tens of millions of dollars and used some of its money to bail out violent offenders who went on to commit new crimes, including murder.
In a rally Wednesday in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump attacked Vice President Harris, who is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, for her support of the bail group.
“Kamala Harris wants to be the president for savage criminals and illegal aliens,” Trump said. “I will be the president for law-abiding Americans of every race, religion, color and creed.”
