World News – CA – C-SPAN Suspends Scully After Admitting Lying About Hack

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NEW YORK (AP) – C-SPAN suspended its political editor Steve Scully indefinitely on Thursday after admitting to lying about his Twitter feed being hacked when faced with a questionable exchange with the former Trump’s assistant, Anthony Scaramucci

The news came on the day of what was supposed to be a career highlight for 30-year C-SPAN veteran Scully to moderate the second debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, who was canceled after Trump refused to accept virtual format due to COVID-19 diagnosis

A week ago, after Trump criticized him as a ‘never trumper’, Scully tweeted ‘@Scaramucci should I respond to Trump’ Scaramucci, former Trump communications director and now critic of the president , advised Scully to ignore it

Scully said that when he saw his tweet created controversy, « I falsely claimed that my Twitter account had been hacked »

He had been frustrated by Trump’s comments and several weeks of criticism on social media and conservative news outlets about his role as moderator, including attacks directed against his family, he said

« Those are two errors in judgment for which I am totally responsible, » said Scully « I apologize »

He said he let down his colleagues at C-SPAN, his fellow news professionals and the Debates Committee. « I ask their forgiveness as I try to move forward in a moment of reflection and disappointment in myself, ”he said

« He understands that he made a serious mistake, » the network said. « We were very saddened by this news and do not forgive his actions »

Scully has been running the network’s presidential election coverage since 1992, but the suspension means he won’t be part of C-SPAN’s election night programming Scully has been the moderator of the « Washington Journal, » the program weekly call, and regularly hosted other C-SPAN programs

The network said Scully has consistently shown fairness and professionalism and has built a reservoir of goodwill

« After some distance from this episode, we believe in his ability to continue contributing to C-SPAN, » the network said

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Steve Scully, C-SPAN, Donald Trump