generic NBC Retracts Report That Exposed New Details in Pelosi-Attack Investigation
NBC News reported significant new details in the investigation into last week’s attack on Paul Pelosi on Friday — and then promptly retracted the report as soon as those details began circulating online.
In a Today Show segment that aired Friday morning, NBC News anchor Miguel Almaguer reported that Pelosi reacted in an unusual way to the arrival of police officers after calling 911 because a deranged man had broken into his house and was searching for his wife, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
“The front door was opened by Mr. Pelosi. He did not declare an emergency or try to leave his home, instead began walking several feet back towards the assailant and away from police,” Almaguer reported, citing “sources familiar with what unfolded in the Pelosi residence.”
NBC reported new details re: Pelosi attack:
– Pelosi answered door, didn't "declare an emergency or try to leave his home," instead walked toward the assailant
– Pelosi & DePape were in house for 30 minutes before police arrived
Then NBC deleted this video from all platforms. pic.twitter.com/SxcWFb8yse
— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) November 4, 2022
It remains unclear whether Pelosi was injured or whether his mental state was impaired at the time he answered the door, NBC stipulated.
Court documents obtained by NBC reveal that when police asked the assailant, David DePape, what was happening, he “calmly greeted them” and said “everything’s good.” DePape and Pelosi then began wrestling for control of a hammer, which DePape eventually used to strike Pelosi in the head, fracturing his skull.
Hours after the segment aired live on NBC, it was deleted from the Today Show website and an editor’s note was appended to the page.
“The piece should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards,” the editor’s note reads.
The official Today Show Twitter account also deleted a tweet promoting the segment.
The retraction came after several prominent social-media users took notice of the strange new details NBC had reported. Several digital outlets, including the Daily Mail, had also aggregated NBC’s reporting and cast it in a conspiratorial light.
NBC did not respond when asked why the segment was retracted.
Almaguer also reported that the responding San Francisco police officers were unaware they had been called to the home of the speaker of the House.
Pelosi returned home from the hospital Thursday after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Pelosi’s attacker was wearing underwear when he was arrested. He was in fact wearing shorts, according to the criminal complaint filed against him.
