El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele sharpened his criticism of U.S. media, accusing major outlets of bias and selective reporting that distorts public perception. His latest remarks came after MSNBC’s coverage of the shooting involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, where an anchor speculated that the gunfire “might have been a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.”
Bukele reposted a video of the segment shared by Town Hall, a conservative news outlet, and added the phrase “You don’t hate the media enough.” Town Hall itself described the MSNBC remark as “shameful,” noting that it unfairly tried to shift blame onto conservative supporters without evidence.
The Salvadoran president argued that this is not an isolated case but part of a larger problem in the way U.S. media filters the news. He had previously criticized outlets for ignoring the brutal murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally attacked on August 22 while riding a Charlotte light rail train. Security footage released later showed a man stabbing her without warning in a shocking assault that only gained attention after the video surfaced.
Bukele again used the phrase “You don’t hate the media enough” to underline what he sees as a deliberate effort to downplay stories that reveal a breakdown of order and public safety. According to him, the absence of coverage on Zarutska’s case contrasted sharply with the speculative reporting about the Kirk incident, exposing what he calls the agenda-driven priorities of mainstream outlets.
By linking both incidents, Bukele sent a clear message: the media is not simply failing but actively shaping narratives to mislead the public. In his view, this manipulation distracts citizens from recognizing the need for stronger measures to restore order in societies plagued by violence.