Media Coverage of Trump and Biden Pardons Shows Stark Imbalance, Study Finds

Broadcast networks devoted 46 minutes to Trump’s January 6 pardons but only 3 minutes to Biden’s preemptive family pardons.

The Media Research Center analyzed ABC, CBS, and NBC broadcasts from January 20 to January 22, 2025, revealing significant disparities in coverage of presidential pardons.
Trump's pardons for over 1,500 January 6 defendants received 46 minutes and 32 seconds of airtime across the networks.
In contrast, Biden’s preemptive pardons for multiple family members, including his son Hunter, received just 3 minutes and 32 seconds of coverage.
Critics argue the discrepancy raises questions about media priorities and whether coverage reflects newsworthiness or bias.
Both sets of pardons, issued on the same day, drew political criticism, with Biden’s actions seen as unprecedented and Trump’s as controversial for addressing Capitol riot participants.