President Obama is taking heat from all sides, including late-night satirist Jon Stewart.
The longtime “Daily Show” host on Tuesday night tore into the White House and specifically bashed the president for repeatedly claiming he learned of major events at the same time as the American public.
He played video clips of Mr. Obama saying he learned of the “Fast and Furious” gunrunning scandal through news reports. Mr. Stewart then played a similar clip of the president claiming to have learned about the infamous 2009 Air Force One flyover of Manhattan through the media.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney offered the same defense for the revelation that the Department of Justice had seized phone logs from The Associated Press, saying the commander-in-chief had no knowledge of it other than through the press.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if President Obama learned Osama bin Laden had been killed when he saw himself announcing it on television,” Mr. Stewart deadpanned.
It’s the latest example of usually friendly media figures turning on the president over the growing list of scandals.
On “Morning Joe” on Tuesday morning, MSNBC host and vocal Obama supporter Chris Matthews said the IRS’ targeting of political opponents is particularly dangerous because it “undermines the basic trust” in government.
“This is really serious business, and it’s not going to be forgotten for decades,” he said.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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