JONATHAN TURLEY - Up the Creek: Media Outlets Criticized for False Story on Vance

In this case, Vice President JD Vance was criticized for ordering the raising of the river near his Ohio home to improve his family’s canoeing experience.

First appearing in The Guardian, the story took off in the media and was featured on shows like The Colbert Show when Stephen Colbert mocked “insane spoiled baby emperor move.” 

• The problem is that it was entirely untrue. 
• The Secret Service raised the river for security reasons with no contact with the Vice President or his family.

The hit piece was curious because The Guardian admitted that it could not confirm the allegation. Nevertheless, it breathlessly reported on “Canoe-Gate”...“The Guardian could not independently confirm this specific claim.”
Hmmm, that “specific claim” is the entire story.

USSS spokesman Anthony Guglielmi explained that the USSS conducted a trip to the Ohio area ahead of the vice president’s trip, and one of their vessels actually ran aground. That is why the USSS asked for the increase: “It’s very normal, it’s very routine.” He said that the decision was made without input or involvement from the vice president’s office...