Giuffre's relatives star in Killin ad attacking Rep. Jeff Crank over Epstein files votes
A new ad from Democrat Jessica Killin features relatives of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre criticising Colorado Rep. Jeff Crank for early votes against releasing the Epstein files. Crank's office calls it exploitation of a grieving family.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 1A new campaign ad features Sky Roberts, brother of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, accusing Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO) of covering up Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, according to a New York Times report relayed by Raw Story. Raw StoryL ““Jeff Crank covered up Epstein’s crimes to protect Donald Trump,” says Sky Roberts” Read at Raw Story ↗ Right · 1The Washington Examiner reports the ad was released by Crank's Democratic challenger, Jessica Killin, and also features Giuffre's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts; Sky and Amanda Roberts later held a press conference endorsing Killin. Washington ExaminerR “targeted Crank in a new ad released by Jessica Killin, who is running to replace the Republican congressman.”“the husband-and-wife duo held a press conference to endorse Killin for Congress.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Mixed · 2In the ad, the Robertses say Crank refused to meet with them and that he repeatedly voted to cover up the files rather than expose the truth; Sky Roberts, a Crank constituent, says Crank has "no business being in Congress." Raw StoryL “Roberts, a constituent of Crank, accuses the Colorado Republican of refusing to meet with Giuffre’s relatives” Read at Raw Story ↗ Washington ExaminerR ““Our own congressman, Jeff Crank, refused to meet with us,” Amanda Roberts said.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Mixed · 2Crank did not sign the first discharge petition, led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), and cast a procedural vote against an early effort to force release of the files. Raw StoryL “Crank did not sign the petition and later cast a procedural vote to block an early effort to force the release of the files.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Washington ExaminerR “voted to block consideration of the Epstein Files Transparency Act” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Mixed · 2He ultimately voted for the bill after President Donald Trump backed it, following a White House campaign against release. Raw StoryL “Crank ultimately did vote to release the files after the bill had received Trump’s blessing” Read at Raw Story ↗ Washington ExaminerR “he did end up voting to approve the bill after Trump urged House Republicans to pass the measure” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1At the press conference Sky Roberts said Crank still had not reached out and had not signed a second discharge petition announced by Massie last month; the Examiner says Crank is not among four Republicans who have signed it. Washington ExaminerR ““Today, Congressman Crank still hasn’t reached out to us. He still hasn’t signed the second discharge petition to release the files,””“Crank is not one of the four Republicans who have signed the second discharge petition.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Right · 1A Crank spokesperson told the New York Times that Killin, whom they called a "Washington lobbyist," was "preying on a grieving family with the help of the Washington Democrats." Washington ExaminerR ““It is deeply unfortunate that Washington lobbyist Jessica Killin is preying on a grieving family with the help of the Washington Democrats,”” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1Killin also criticised Crank's staff after the Examiner obtained text messages showing his office laughing at the Robertses' meeting request last year. Washington ExaminerR “obtained text messages showing the congressman’s office laughing at a meeting request made by Sky and Amanda Roberts last year.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Mixed · 2The race in Colorado's 5th District is described as tight: Raw Story calls Killin a former Democratic congressional aide and Army veteran, while the Examiner says a Killin-sponsored poll shows Crank ahead by 1 point, Sabato's Crystal Ball moved the race to "Lean Republican" in September, and Trump has endorsed Crank. Raw StoryL “Jessica Killin, a former Democratic congressional aide and U.S. Army veteran, in what recent polls show to be a tight race.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Washington ExaminerR “shows Crank with a 1-point lead over the Democratic challenger”“President Donald Trump has endorsed Crank for reelection” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Frames the ad as Crank's early opposition to the Epstein files 'coming back to haunt him' ahead of a tough re-election race.
- Emphasis
- Roberts' quotes, Crank's non-signature and procedural vote, and that his final vote came only after Trump's blessing.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include Crank's office's response, the press conference, or the text-message report.
- Charged language
- “comes back to haunt him”“too little, too late”
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reports the Giuffre family's criticism and Killin's endorsement as campaign news, with a note that Trump endorsed Crank.
- Emphasis
- Killin's campaign, polling and ratings, the press conference, the text-message report and Crank's spokesperson's rebuttal.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Less on the White House's campaign against release.
- Charged language
- “shames”“cover-up”“preying on a grieving family”
- For example
-
“Virginia Giuffre’s family shames Colorado Republican over Epstein ‘cover-up’ vote” — Washington Examiner
“Killin is preying on a grieving family with the help of the Washington Democrats” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- Sky Roberts, Virginia Giuffre's brother, appears in an ad accusing Rep. Jeff Crank of covering up Epstein's crimes to protect Trump.
- Crank did not sign the first discharge petition and voted against an early effort, but later voted for the release bill after Trump backed it.
- Crank faces Democrat Jessica Killin in a tight race.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the ad is a fair account or an exploitative attack
- Left
- Presents Roberts' criticism of Crank as a constituent's rebuke that 'comes back to haunt' him, without reporting Crank's response.
- Right
- Reports the Roberts family's criticism but includes Crank's spokesperson's claim that Killin is preying on a grieving family with Washington Democrats' help.
Jeff Crank person
Crank's spokesperson says Killin, a 'Washington lobbyist', is preying on a grieving family with Washington Democrats' help; he ultimately voted for the release bill.
““It is deeply unfortunate that Washington lobbyist Jessica Killin is preying on a grieving family with the help of the Washington Democrats,”” — Washington Examiner
Virginia Giuffre person
Giuffre's relatives, speaking for her since her death, say Crank refused to meet them and repeatedly voted to cover up the files.
“Since Giuffre’s death, her family members have been speaking on her behalf.” — Washington Examiner
“he repeatedly voted to cover them up.” — Raw Story
Left1 article
-
Republican's Epstein vote comes back to haunt him: 'He has no business being in Congress'
Critical Presents the ad as Crank's early Epstein opposition resurfacing, citing the NYT.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
-
Virginia Giuffre’s family shames Colorado Republican over Epstein ‘cover-up’ vote
Mixed Campaign report on the family's criticism and endorsement of Killin, including Crank's rebuttal and Trump's endorsement.
- 5 Oct 13:24 First Raw StoryL Republican's Epstein vote comes back to haunt him: 'He has no business being in Congress'
- 5 Oct 22:35 +9h 11m Washington ExaminerR Virginia Giuffre’s family shames Colorado Republican over Epstein ‘cover-up’ vote
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.