The Associated Press previewed the likely death of Hezbollah terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah with a lengthy biographical article that rivaled The Washington Post — which famously referred to Al Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as an “austere religious scholar — in its effort to frame the Islamic extremist in a positive light.
The original headline was posted on Friday, and it read, “Charismatic and shrewd: A look at longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.” But Saturday morning, the headline had already been edited to read simply, “Who is longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah?”
The quick edit appears to have been a response to the critics who flooded X with comments about how positive a tone the AP had adopted when talking about the leader of a terrorist organization.
AG Hamilton showed a side-by-side of the Nasrallah headline with one about the late U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK): “Former U.S. Sen. Inhofe, defense hawk who called human-caused climate change a ‘hoax,’ dies at 89.”
“AP on the death of a Republican Senator vs The possible death of a terror leader responsible for tens of thousands of deaths,” Hamilton captioned the screenshots.
AP on the death of a Republican Senator
vs
The possible death of a terror leader responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. pic.twitter.com/xy04v0s0dv
— AG (@AGHamilton29) September 28, 2024
“@AP, I’m sorry for your loss,” Hillel Neuer posted. “‘Charismatic and shrewd…. an astute strategist… considered a pragmatist… idolized by his Lebanese Shiite followers… respected by millions across the Arab and Islamic world…’ Maybe next time, speak to his victims.”
.@AP I’m sorry for your loss.
“Charismatic and shrewd…. an astute strategist… considered a pragmatist… idolized by his Lebanese Shiite followers… respected by millions across the Arab and Islamic world… ” https://t.co/bezopcUSTe
Maybe next time, speak to his victims. pic.twitter.com/qUb3EbRMri
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 28, 2024
“Not a parody from the AP. Nasrallah was a ruthless, murderous terrorist,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) added.
Not a parody from the AP.
Nasrallah was a ruthless, murderous terrorist. pic.twitter.com/LcyxerVmNv
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) September 28, 2024
“Nasrallah is not a ‘charismatic leader.’ He is a bloodthirsty, anti-Semitic terrorist. Hope this helps, @AP,” Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) said.
Nasrallah is not a “charismatic leader.” He is a bloodthirsty, anti-Semitic terrorist.
Hope this helps, @AP. pic.twitter.com/EVayDXVj0U
— Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (@RepDesposito) September 28, 2024
In addition to the headline, the AP delivered a full 12 paragraphs before the word “terrorist” was even mentioned. Instead, the outlet referred to Nasrallah as an “astute strategist,” an “archenemy of Israel,” and “a fiery orator viewed as an extremist.”
