In another display of ignorance palmed off as journalism MSNBC aired a blatantly ridiculous piece. Brian Williams, show host, and Mara Gay, a New York Times editorial board member claimed Michael Bloomberg could have financially set up the entire U.S. population for life with just the money he spent on campaign advertising.
The claim
Bloomberg spent more than $500 million of his own money. He made an abortive attempt at the Democrat nomination for the presidency. The money was spent on nationwide broadcast, cable, radio and digital advertising spots. The billionaire and former New York mayor’s own news outlet reported it was an historic late-race media blitz.
According to Williams and Gay, the expenditure of $500 million could have instead been spent putting $1 million into the pockets of each and every American citizen, with millions leftover in the end.
The exchange:
“Do you see it as a possibility, if [Bloomberg] wants to spend a billion bucks beating [President Donald Trump], he could do it?” Williams asked Gay during the broadcast.
“Absolutely,” Gay said. “Somebody tweeted recently that, actually, with the money he spent, he could have given every American a million dollars.”
“I’ve got it. Let’s put it up on the screen,” Williams responded, paraphrasing a tweet from author Mekita Rivas. “When I read it tonight on social media, it kind of all became clear. Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads, U.S. population 327 million — don’t tell us if you’re ahead of us on the math — he could have given $1 million and had lunch money left over.”
It’s an incredible way of putting it… It’s true and disturbing. It does suggest, you know, what we’re talking about here, which is there is too much money in politics… Gay said.
MSNBC’s Brian Williams reads a tweet: "Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads. U.S. Population, 327 million. He could have given each American $1 million"
NYT Editorial Board Member Mara Gay: “It’s an incredible way of putting it. It’s true. It’s disturbing”
It's $1.53 per person pic.twitter.com/dIiwCESgh8
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) March 6, 2020
The arithmetic
The assessment has a problem. The math just does not work. It does not support their claim. Bloomberg could have given every American about a dollar and a half by equally distributing his advertising investment among the general population. It’s the arithmetic dummy. $500 million divided by 330 million people equals a dollar and a half plus or minus a couple of pennies.
But hey, what’s $999,998.50 among friends? Can you say ignorant claim, gross misrepresentation? Can you say support a Democrat if you support their math? Look Bloomberg couldn’t buy all of us a cup of coffee with that kind of money.
.@MekitaRivas displaying her math skills.
327 million x 1 million = 327 TRILLION. @MikeBloomberg is only worth $52 BILLION.
The ENTIRE US ECONOMY only generated $27 TRILLION in '18.
This explains SO MUCH about @BernieSanders' popularity… #mathishard #math pic.twitter.com/cSzzoRQNVE
— Yates Wilburn (@YatesWilburn) March 6, 2020
The issue
The real blame here lies with the leftist media who fund Williams and Gay and their ilk so they can create and distribute such soundbites. If this was an isolated incident it would be one thing but it isn’t. The media gatekeepers have grown so complacent in their self-importance that this is the state of reporting. This is why their audience and public trust are shrinking. Think of the Covington Kids, think of the governor of Missouri, the list is long, egregious and growing.
The MSNBC claim was inflammatory. It was sensational. I’m sure it outraged their target market. But it was false. You’re here, reading this, so you have not been taken in. But if you’re just visiting, ya’ll come back now ya hear. We might not tell what we want you to think but we will do our best to tell you the truth.