Journalist Katie Couric is speaking out about her decision to edit a 2016 interview with the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
During an appearance on âThe Viewâ Monday, co-host Sunny Hostin noted Couric asked Ginsburg about NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem.
Reading a passage from Couricâs memoir, âGoing There,â Hostin said, âClearly this was a blind spot for Ginsburg and I wanted to protect her.â
Hostin argued Couricâs job as a journalist is to present the facts, not make someone else âlook good.â
The journalist responded, âThatâs why I included it because I said I even question my judgment today.â
She went on to explain âthere was a two-minute answer where called Colin Kaepernick, and other NFL players who were taking a knee, âdumbâ and âdisrespectful,â âstupidâ and âarrogant.â They had a right to do this and her office had called and said she misunderstood the question.â
Couric added, âShe hadnât really been following the story carefullyâŚI wanted to represent her views so I did a two-minute response about about that. Then when there was that⌠âIs she confused about this?'â
Admitting she should have âleft that to the audience to make that decision,â Couric continued, â later issued a statement saying she didnât understand the incident or its purpose and that her comments were âoverly harshâ and âdismissive.'â
She argued it is âimportant as journalists that we be transparent and say, âthat was probably not a good decision.'â
Watch Couricâs comments below:
When asked about athletes kneeling for the national anthem, Ginsburg told Couric, âI think itâs really dumb of them.â
She explained, âWould I arrest them for doing it? No.â
Ginsburg said she thinks it is âdumb and disrespectful,â adding, âI would have the same answer if you asked me about flag burning. I think itâs a terrible thing to do, but I wouldnât lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.â
She was then asked if it is within the athletesâ rights to kneel.
âYes,â Ginsburg replied. âIf they want to be stupid, thereâs no law that should be preventive. If they want to be arrogant, thereâs no law that prevents them from that. What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that.â
Earlier last week, Couric admitted to omitting some of Ginsburgâs comments on the issue. Insider noted the full quote will be included in her forthcoming book.
The book will be released on Tuesday.
