ABC Ignores Death of Heiress Involved in John Edwards Scandal; CBS and NBC Skip Dem ID
ABC News completely ignored the Monday death of heiress Rachel "Bunny"
Mellon, who used her wealth to help conceal the mistress of former
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. CBS and NBC both noted
the passing of the 103-year-old and her connection to Edwards, but
failed identify Edwards as a Democrat. [Listen to the audio]
On Tuesday's CBS This Morning, co-host Norah O'Donnell touted
how Mellon "was a horticulturist who redesigned the White House Rose
Garden at Jackie Kennedy's invitation." However, when it came to her
involvement with Edwards, O'Donnell only vaguely mentioned: "In later
years, she gave money to help presidential candidate John Edwards."
Edwards was put on trial for violating campaign finance laws due to Mellon's financial "help" in covering up his affair with mistress Rielle Hunter.
A news brief on Monday's CBS Evening News highlighted Mellon's gardening prowess but avoided her role in the Edwards scandal as anchor Scott Pelley reported:
Rachel Mellon, known as "Bunny," lived to be 103. She died today of natural causes. Born wealthy, her second husband was Paul Mellon, whose father was one of the world's richest men. "Bunny" Mellon was a friend of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and restored the White House Rose Garden after President Dwight Eisenhower tore it up to put in a putting green.
On Tuesday's NBC Today, news reader Natalie Morales actually reminded viewers of Mellon's questionable assistance to Edwards, though still skipped his Democratic ID: "Mellon was a political benefactor who funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to former presidential candidate John Edwards, money that was used to hide his mistress."
— Kyle Drennen is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.
