Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) has called for PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff to retract her claim that former President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject a hostage deal proposal, stating that the veteran anchor needs to provide evidence to back up her reporting or else retract her statement.
During a press briefing at Trump Tower, Waltz denied Woodruff’s accusation and emphasized the need for solid evidence to support any such claims. The Jerusalem Post reported on Woodruff’s initial claim, which cited unspecified “reporting” without providing any further details or context.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) vehemently rejected the PBS report, labeling it a “complete lie.” Trump had also dismissed similar claims last week, asserting that his most recent conversation with Netanyahu took place during the latter’s visit to Mar-a-Lago in late July. During this encounter, Trump advised Netanyahu to swiftly conclude the war in Gaza with victory.
Last week, Axios.com reported on a purported phone call between Trump and Netanyahu, citing two unnamed U.S. sources as their basis for the story. However, both leaders have since denied that such a call occurred, prompting Axios to update its report with an editor’s note acknowledging the conflicting accounts.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for journalists to ensure accuracy and credibility in their reporting, particularly when addressing sensitive international relations issues involving high-ranking officials.