Military Leaders Demand NBC Apologize After Ayman Mohyeldin Smears Chris Kyle

MRC President Brent Bozell, along with over 60 distinguished military leaders, including 22 retired admirals and generals, are demanding an apology from NBC News. In a February 10 open letter to the Comcast Board of Directors, the group expressed their outrage over NBC News correspondent Ayman Moyheldin calling Chris Kyle, the real “American Sniper” a “racist” who went on “killing sprees” during his tours in Iraq.

“We are deeply concerned by NBC News correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin’s suggestions on the Thursday, January 29 airing of Morning Joe that Chris Kyle, the real ‘American Sniper,’ was a ‘racist’ whose military missions were ‘killing sprees,’” the letter stated. “Mohyeldin’s remarks reveal him to be callous and ignorant.”

Ayman Mohyeldin, an Egyptian journalist formerly employed at Al Jazeera, made remarks during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, which were even met with shock by the host and one other guest.

“A lot of his stories when he was back home in Texas, a lot of his own personal opinions about what he was doing in Iraq, how he viewed Iraqis. Some of what people have described as his racist tendencies towards Iraqis and Muslims when he was going on some of these, you know, killing sprees in Iraq on assignment. So I think there are issues…,” Ayman Mohyeldin said before host Joe Scarborough interjected.

“Wait, wait. Killing sprees?” Scarborough asked in shock. “Chris Kyle was going on killing sprees?”

Mohyeldin responded with a comment equally insulting to those who sent the letter and, no doubt, millions of other Americans.

“When he was involved in his — on assignments in terms of what he was doing. A lot of the description that has come out from his book and some of the terminology that he has used, people have described as racist,” Mohyeldin added.

Letter Transcript

Mr. Brian L. Roberts, Chairman
Mr. Michael J. Angelakis, Vice Chairman
Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838

Dear Messrs. Roberts and Angelakis:

We are deeply concerned by NBC News correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin’s suggestions on the Thursday, January 29 airing of Morning Joe that Chris Kyle, the real “American Sniper,” was a “racist” whose military missions were “killing sprees.” Mohyeldin’s remarks reveal him to be callous and ignorant.

The full transcript of these bigoted comments is attached.

Mohyeldin’s statements were an inexcusable slap in the face to the widow of Chris Kyle and to all those in the armed forces who continue to serve our country in harm’s way. Such rants do not add anything to a thoughtful discussion of public policy regarding Iraq.

As a Navy SEAL who tirelessly protected his comrades and killed terrorists, Chris Kyle undoubtedly saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives, both military and civilian.

He is a hero, not a talking point for a smug journalist.

It has been more than a week since Mohyeldin uttered his hateful, thoughtless smears on air. Despite a massive outcry from the public, NBC News has neither apologized nor taken responsibility for these comments.

We understand that as members of the board of Comcast, the parent company of NBC, you may not be privy to how NBC News responds to such situations. However, your stockholders, advertisers, NBC News viewers, and the public have a right to know: Is it the policy of NBC News to allow its own reporters to make inaccurate and insulting editorial comments on its airwaves, aimed at our soldiers who gave their lives for their country? Is it the policy of NBC News to ignore the scandal and hope it goes away?

NBC News’ continued refusal to acknowledge and apologize for Mohyeldin’s malicious remarks about Chris Kyle is as disappointing as it is shocking. Chris Kyle’s family, veterans everywhere, and the public at large deserve from NBC News a strong, unequivocal public statement condemning Mohyeldin’s vile hate speech.

We request NBC News issue a sincere, on-air apology through Mohyeldin. Until then, viewers and the veterans that NBC News has offended will continue to demand that the network show at least a basic amount of civility to slain veterans and their priceless sacrifices for American freedom.

We ask that you, as members of the board of directors of Comcast Corporation, demand this be done.

We eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

L. Brent Bozell III, President, Media Research Center

Lt Gen William G. “Jerry” Boykin, US Army (Ret)

MG Paul E. Vallely, US Army (Ret)

Lt Gen Thomas G. McInerney, USAF (Ret)

MG Gary L Harrell, US Army (Ret)

Adm James A. Lyons, Jr., USN (Ret)

Lt Gen Leroy J. Manor, USAF (Ret)

Lt Gen Bruce L. Fister, USAF (Ret)

MG Sid Shachnow, USA (Ret)

Maj Gen James L. Hobson Jr., USAF (Ret)

MG Richard Scholtes, USA (Ret)

Maj Gen Robert B. Patterson, USAF (Ret)

Maj Gen Jeff Cliver, USAF (Ret)

Maj Gen Richard V. Secord, USAF, Ret)

RADM Jim Carey, USN (Ret)

RADM Hugh D. Wisely, USN (Ret)

RADM George Worthington, USN (Ret)

RADM Pierce J. Johnson, USN (Ret)

BG Joseph S. Stringham, USA (Ret)

Brig Gen Rudolf F. Perskens, USAF (Ret)

BG Gary M. Jones, USA (Ret)

BG Ronald S. Mangum, USA (Ret)

Col Michael Haas, USAF (Ret)

CAPT Larry W. Bailey, USN (Ret)

Col Wayne V. Morris, USMC (Ret)

Col Forrest M. Kimsey, USAF (Ret)

Col Lance E. Booth, USA (Ret)

CAPT Norman H. Olson, USN (Ret)

Col Richard F. Brauer Jr, USAF (Ret)

Col David W. Blizzard, USMC (Ret)

Col Ronald L. Jones, USAF (Ret)

Col Stanley E. Shaneyfelt, USA (Ret)

CAPT Walter K. Steiner, USN (Ret)

Col John E. Arnold, USAF (Ret)

Col Darrell W. Katz, USA (Ret)

CAPT David L. Woods, USNR (Ret)

Col Francis X Ryan, USMCR (Ret)

Col John A. Gallagher, USAF (Ret)

CAPT Daniel I Puzon, USN (Ret)

Col Daniel W. Jacobowitz, USAF (Ret)

Col Abraham L. German, USA (Ret)

CAPT Ronald E. Yeaw, USN (Ret)

Col Robert L. Brenci, USAF (Ret)

CAPT Dean R. Larson, USN (Ret)

CAPT William H. Fleming III, USNR (Ret)

Col Mark D. Boyatt, USA (Ret)

CAPT Larry Pearson, USN (Ret)

Col Craig L. Carlson, USA (Ret)

CAPT Robert C. Beavins, USN (Ret)

CAPT Robert Bernardon (Ret)

Col Christopher A. Roosa, USMCR (Ret)

CAPT Joseph R. John, USN (Ret)

Col James C. Harding, USAF (Ret)

CAPT Michael P. Smith, USN (Ret)

CAPT Theodore T. Mason, USN (Ret)

Col Robert J. Bateman, NYARNG (Ret)

CAPT Kent S. Webber, USN (Ret)

CAPT, MC, George J. Hill, USNR (Ret)

CAPT Howard J. Sartori, USN (Ret)

Additional signers:

CAPT Robert Carey, USN (Ret)

Rear Admiral James J. Carey, USN (Ret)

Col George C. Ferkes, USAF (Ret)

Noel Koch, Director, Special Planning, Department of Defense, 1981-1986

CC: Mr. Kenneth J. Bacon, Mr. Sheldon M. Bonovitz, Mr. Edward D. Breen, Mr. Joseph J. Collins, Mr. J. Michael Cook, Mr. Gerald L. Hassell, Mr. Jeffrey A. Honickman, Mr. Eduardo G. Mestre, Mr. Ralph J. Roberts, Mr. Jonathan A. Rodgers, Dr. Judith Rodin