Thread by @SenatorBurr

In a tabloid-style hit piece today, NPR knowingly and irresponsibly misrepresented a speech I gave last month about the coronavirus threat.

Let me set the record straight. 1/

This lunch was hosted on Feb. 27 by the North Carolina State Society. It was publicly advertised and widely attended.

NPR knew, but did not report, that attendees also included many non-members, bipartisan congressional staff, and representatives from the governor’s office. 2/

Every state has a state society. They aren’t “secretive” or “high-dollar donor” organizations. They’re great civic institutions that bring people in D.C. together for events, receptions, and lunches.

And they’re open to anyone who wants to get involved. 3/

Like most members of Congress, I address our state society every year.

That a good thing. That’s what we should be doing.

Meeting constituents and talking to them about the work we’re doing in D.C. is an important part of our job, especially in times of uncertainty. 4/

Unfortunately, NPR’s journalistic malpractice has raised concerns that Americans weren’t warned about the significant steps we may have to take to stop the coronavirus threat.

That’s not true.

From Feb. 25 ➡️ npr.org/sections/healt… 5/

In a press conference on Feb. 26, the President and public health officials urged schools, hospitals, businesses, and families to begin making plans for potential closures, social distancing, and telework: whitehouse.gov/briefings-stat… 6/

The message I shared with my constituents is the one public health officials urged all of us to heed as coronavirus spread increased:

Be prepared. 7/

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation. To know if we’ve been successful in stemming it, we have to keep an accurate accounting of our nation’s response.

Purposefully misleading listeners for the sake of a “narrative,” like NPR has done, makes us less safe. 8/