Weekend Review: Exploring the Question of Hostages

Every Sunday morning, legacy media outlets are taken over by elected officials, aspiring elected officials, administration insiders, and the usual collection of talking heads — all of whom are there to discuss specific policies, push talking points, or simply promote their own campaigns.

For those who don’t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to unravel a full week’s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed.

ABC News, “This Week”:

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby made several media stops on Sunday in the wake of Iran’s direct attack on Israel, among them a brief interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos on “This Week.”

During his appearance on the show, Kirby urged the terrorist group Hamas — which started the current Israel-Hamas war with the unprovoked attack on civilians that took place on October 7 — to accept a deal that would force them to release Israeli hostages.

“Hamas needs to take that deal,” Kirby said noting that it would include a “six-week ceasefire to allow for an increase in humanitarian assistance.”

“Hamas needs to take that deal.”

White House’s John Kirby tells @GStephanopoulos that Hamas needs to accept the current proposal to release Israeli hostages and grant a “six-week ceasefire to allow for an increase in humanitarian assistance.” https://t.co/h7VBBYZNMq pic.twitter.com/zcgEczyHh2

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 14, 2024

During a roundtable discussion later in the show, the conversation turned to abortion, the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, and the 1864 Arizona law that the state’s Supreme Court said could be enforced in the absence of Roe. Former interim DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile weighed in on the law, which would ban most abortions in the state.

“Will Democrats make sure that those victims, those women who are having these horrifying experiences get to tell their story? Absolutely,” Brazile said.”And who’s responsible? Donald Trump.”

“Will Democrats make sure that those victims, those women who are having these horrifying experiences get to tell their story? Absolutely,” @DonnaBrazile says after Arizona near-total abortion ban goes into effect.

“And who’s responsible? Donald Trump.” https://t.co/SnNmoO3FYY pic.twitter.com/J4USrUcL9s

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 14, 2024

CBS News, “Face the Nation”:

Former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie joined host Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face the Nation” to discuss Iran’s direct attack on Israel, and he made it clear that he believed Iran had shown its hand — and that it wasn’t a good one.

The attack showered Israel with missiles and drones, most of which were repelled by the Iron Dome defense system — and according to McKenzie, the combination came as “close to a maximum effort as they could generate.”

“Iran could not replicate last night’s attack tonight if they had to,” he said. “Iran is relatively weaker than it was yesterday.”

Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel “was close to a maximum effort as they could generate,” former CENTCOM Chief Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie says.

“Iran could not replicate last night’s attack tonight if they had to…Iran is relatively weaker than it was yesterday.” pic.twitter.com/VTjsJvRyvK

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 14, 2024

McKenzie went on to say that in the aftermath of Iran’s actions Israel would have more support behind a retaliatory strike, but that they should still exercise “restraint” and tailor any military response to have a “definable beginning and a definable end.”

“Israel can name its price right now,” he explained. “But it’s also a position that calls for exercise in strategic restraint.”

Israel’s response to Iran’s attack should be “narrow” and have a “definable beginning and a definable end,” former CENTCOM Chief Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie says.

“Israel can name its price right now…but it’s also a position that calls for exercise in strategic restraint.” pic.twitter.com/HTtr1gQdIS

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 14, 2024

CNN, “State of the Union”:

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined CNN’s “State of the Union,” where he told anchor Jake Tapper that he was frustrated with President Joe Biden’s failure to stand as firmly with Israel as he had promised.

Fetterman went on to attack the far left within his own party, saying that he would never “capitulate to the fringe” and adding, “I will never pander to that as well. In fact, that helps, that empowers Hamas. And Hamas is actually convinced that they are winning the PR war, and they’re never going to negotiate at this point.”

“They think they’re going to hold on to the very end,” Fetterman continued. “And I know why they’re not willing to provide any kind of proof of life. And I don’t know why there’s not more of that conversation in the media. Like, what about the hostages? What’s happened to them? Where are they now? And let’s just bring them home.”

Democratic Sen. @JohnFetterman tells CNN’s @JakeTapper that President Biden shouldn’t “capitulate to the fringe” in his party when it comes to Israel. pic.twitter.com/pjDqi0sBPJ

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 14, 2024

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) also spoke with Tapper on Sunday, saying that through direct attacks and through proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran was trying to “make Israel an unlivable place.”

“Iran’s goal has always been the same, and that is to make Israel an unlivable place,” Rubio explained. “Iran knows it cannot beat Israel militarily, but what it does aspire to do is make Israel an impossible place to live and a place no one wants to visit.”

Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Sen. @marcorubio tells @JakeTapper that Iran’s goal is to “make Israel an unlivable place.” pic.twitter.com/KPliGEE8x7

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 14, 2024

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NBC News, “Meet the Press”:

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) attempted to thread a difficult political needle during her appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” refusing to say whether or not she believed Israel’s actions in Gaza had reached the level of  “genocide.”

“I’m not going to weigh in,” Whitmer insisted, despite the fact that Democrat opposition to support for Israel had driven thousands in her state to vote “uncommitted” rather than cast a primary vote for President Joe Biden. “A lot of these terms are used to inflame and divide us.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, another Democrat who represents Michigan, refused to condemn rally attendees in her district who shouted chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” claiming that she only wouldn’t address the issue because the reporter asking about it was from Fox News.

WATCH: Some Democrats — including those in Michigan — are calling Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.

The state’s Democratic governor won’t characterize it that way.@GovWhitmer: “I’m not going to weigh in. … A lot of these terms are used to inflame and divide us.” pic.twitter.com/7zhXhOC7iT

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 14, 2024

FOX, “Fox News Sunday”:

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) joined anchor Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday” to respond to the ongoing situation between Iran and Israel – and he said that while he did not want the United States to be the “world’s policeman,” he also didn’t want that role to be filled by people like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and the Iranian Ayatollah.

“With those guys, if you turn the other cheek, you just get it in the neck,” he said, adding, “More sheep is not going to solve the wolf problem.”

WATCH: @SenJohnKennedy gives his advice to President Biden after Iran attacks Israel. pic.twitter.com/dPMJNkZ7jz

— Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) April 14, 2024

MSNBC, “Inside With Jen Psaki”:

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki invited Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to her MSNBC show, where they did their best to breathe new life into the Trump-Russia narrative.

“It’s like Trump is the fourth branch of government and Putin is the fifth branch of government,” Raskin claimed. “The Republicans can’t do anything unless Trump approves it and Trump can’t do anything if his friend Vladimir Putin doesn’t want him to.”

.@RepRaskin: “It’s like Trump is the fourth branch of government and Putin is the fifth branch of government. The Republicans can’t do anything unless Trump approves it and Trump can’t do anything if his friend Vladimir Putin doesn’t want him to.” pic.twitter.com/wRe7MqJGpm

— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) April 14, 2024

John Kirby also spoke with Psaki, telling her that Israel had sent a very clear message of strength in repelling Iran’s direct attack. “One of the messages that the president delivered to [Netanyahu] was be proud of what you were able to accomplish last night because that itself sent a very strong signal, not just to Iran, but to every other bad actor in the region.”

NSC Spokesman John Kirby: “One of the messages that the president delivered to the prime minister was be proud of what you were able to accomplish last night because that itself sent a very strong signal, not just to Iran, but to every other bad actor in the region.” pic.twitter.com/kyUQy9bnqN

— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) April 14, 2024

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