'Just embarrassing': 'Good Morning America' botches a very basic fact about Ketanji Brown Jackson
ABC's Good Morning America is facing heavy fire on social media for botching its coverage of the swearing-in of United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
GMA incorrectly stated on Twitter early Thursday afternoon that Jackson, who replaced Associate Justice Stephen Breyer after his retirement took effect at noon, is the "first Black Supreme Court Justice" in American history. She is the third.
\u201cKetanji Brown Jackson is sworn in as the first Black Supreme Court justice in U.S. history. https://t.co/QtHwS0SRCS\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
Thurgood Marshall, a liberal and civil rights champion, became the Court's first Black jurist in 1967. Clarence Thomas, an unapologetic conservative who was appointed and confirmed in 1991 as Marshall's de facto successor, is the second.
Jackson, however, is a pioneer in her own right as the Court's first Black woman Justice. But the headline on GMA's website also omits Jackson's unprecedented accomplishment.
"Making history, Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as Supreme Court justice," it reads.
GMA's double error did not go over well and was interpreted by many as a swipe at the historical significance of Jackson's accession as well as recent history. The negative sentiment was shared even by individuals who disagree with Thomas' controversial approach to constitutional jurisprudence.
\u201c@GMA I don't like Clarence Thomas, but this tweet should be deleted.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Thurgood Marshall? Clarence Thomas? Hello.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Well that\u2019s awkward.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Bet you\u2019re wishing Twitter had that edit button.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Please fix the tweet. Not for me - for you. It\u2019s just embarrassing.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Don\u2019t delete this.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Do better @GMA\u201d— Ultra MAGA Maine-iac\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Ultra MAGA Maine-iac\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1656626534
\u201c@GMA Thurgood Marshall...\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Alrighty then.\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA I'm sorry. But WHAT!?!\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA this tweet is a fireable offense\u201d— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1656611169
\u201c@GMA Forgot a word.\u201d— Lawprofblawg (@Lawprofblawg) 1656627014
