New Analysis Finds ABC, CBS, and NBC Overwhelmingly Favor Democrats in Shutdown Coverage
For the past month, the major broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — have run a relentless stream of negative coverage targeting Congressional Republicans and President Trump over the government shutdown, while largely shielding Democrats from accountability.
A new analysis by the Media Research Center examined every evening newscast on the three networks from October 1 through October 31, 2025. Across 67 reports, 87 percent of the coverage favored Democrats, leaving Republicans to absorb nearly all the criticism. Anchors and reporters issued 83 evaluative statements critical of Republicans, compared to just 12 aimed at Democrats.
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Democrats Protected From Blame
The coverage frequently avoided explaining how the shutdown actually happened. Only 12 instances across all networks mentioned that Senate Democrats had refused to vote for a clean continuing resolution, a basic fact essential to understanding the stalemate. On ABC and CBS, just 12.5 percent of reports noted this detail; on NBC, it appeared in only 31 percent of broadcasts.
Even when reporters cited business groups calling for an end to the shutdown, they often framed it ambiguously. For example, NBC correspondent Tom Costello reported that Delta and United Airlines urged Congress to pass a resolution, but failed to clarify that the airlines were effectively backing Republican efforts — leaving viewers with the false impression of bipartisan opposition.
Democrats Framed as Champions of the People
The study also found 21 instances where reporters justified Democrats’ demands while downplaying that those same demands were blocking funding. ABC alone accounted for two-thirds of these remarks, portraying Democrats as fighting to protect healthcare subsidies or prevent premium hikes.
Meanwhile, Republicans received almost no favorable coverage. Journalists rarely presented the argument that Democrats’ votes earlier in the year had contributed to the shutdown, while Democratic talking points were regularly presented as objective reporting.
A Stark Contrast to Past Shutdowns
By comparison, during the 2013 government shutdown, when Democrats controlled both the White House and Senate, ABC, CBS, and NBC aired 41 reports blaming Republicans, with no reports blaming Democrats exclusively. Today, with Republicans controlling both chambers and the White House, only 10 reports blamed Democrats outright — a fraction of the coverage aimed at Republicans.
The findings highlight a troubling double standard in major network coverage, demonstrating how narrative framing can protect one party while demonizing another. In a moment when Americans deserve clarity, the networks appear more interested in shaping opinion than reporting fact.
