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Matching Media Memorandum – VARIOUS OUTLETS
Let's check in to see what the mynah birds have to say about the Iran attack.
On Sunday, we got a peek at what the Democratic Party's narrative would be to attempt to counter the Epic Fury mission. Some backroom wizard felt that calling this a "war of choice" was the best attack mode.
I'll buy dinner for anyone who can track down the Democrat internal polling that got every single Democrat to repeat the phrase "war of choice" in every tweet and interview. pic.twitter.com/nQACTpzhDq
— Matt Whitlock (@MattWhitlock) March 2, 2026
And, predictably, the press has fallen in line and is out there repeating this term, in compulsory fashion.
The Dems come out this weekend with their opposition phrasing, and the obedient press members repeat the "War of Choice" narrative to pimp the talking point. pic.twitter.com/LD2c0uOqu7
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) March 2, 2026
Anti-Social Media – THE NEW YORK TIMES
It was another austere obituary from The Times.
Now, arguably, this was not quite to the glowing level we have seen from papers after a terrorist is unalived. But The Times delivered a rather passive send-off for the Ayatollah, and it becomes far worse when compared to how it memorialized the likes of Rush Limbaugh.
As usual, the outlets have no hesitation in including controversial elements if a person on the Right passes, but how do they overlook the fact that the Ayatollah just got done exterminating tens of thousands of his protesting citizens the past month?!
Man who dispenses opinions: "Attack machine"
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) March 2, 2026
Man who murdered tens of thousands last month: NOT an attack machine. https://t.co/ie5NUJAPpI pic.twitter.com/u4q2XunLuf
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – CBS NEWS
It may not have been disallowed, but you can still be outraged.
With the Iran attack in play, President Trump used an impromptu war room at Mar-a-Lago, where he was for the weekend. Some of the photos from inside showed Susie Wiles in attendance, and a few eagle-eyed (not to be thought of as patriotic) observers spotted Wiles breaking protocol by wearing a smartwatch. These are banned from secure locations because they are Bluetooth-enabled and pose other security risks.
After being castigated, Jim LaPorta of CBS News scrubbed his original post, once it was shown she was wearing a Whoop fitness monitor, which is, in fact, allowed.
You should read the entire memo. pic.twitter.com/WAGiQX6kcv
— Jim LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) March 1, 2026
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – THE INDEPENDENTS
Apparently, there is also approved headgear.
Similarly, President Trump announced the outbreak of the Epic Fury mission while wearing a white baseball hat with "47" on the front. According to journalist Charles Fishman, this was apparently inappropriate. When asked what made this problematic, the best he was able to convey was that this was not the headwear to select for when people are dying.
A snapshot is a casual photo meant to convey a moment, or a glimpse of the person.
— (((Charles Fishman))) 💧 (@cfishman) March 2, 2026
A President of the United States announcing war against a nation of 90 million people — a war in which hundreds will die — well, that's a sober occasion, worthy of thought, care, seriousness.
A…
Reporting on the Mirror – CBS Austin
Using the LIVE shot to defy the narrative.
While covering people taking to the streets in reaction to the Iran attacks, a local station was doing a remote, then just before going live, reporter Vinny Martorano was hastily told by producers not to shoot the scene because it was a Trump-supporting rally.
Martorano handed the phone back to his cameraman and stated he was going forward with the report anyway.
WATCH: In a Facebook Live stream, Sinclair-owned CBS Austin multimedia journalist @VinnyMartorano refuses his bosses' order to spin and downplay the rally in support of the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) March 1, 2026
In the video, Martorano is seemingly practicing for a live shot and noting… pic.twitter.com/iHiTCAxehe
