Trump says he is considering asking FBI to look into Nolan Wells' death
Asked at the White House on 7 October, President Trump said "we're looking at that" about an FBI inquiry into the death of Nolan Wells, 18, after a grand jury declined to indict anyone. The family has called for a federal investigation.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday 7 October that he was considering asking the FBI to look into the death of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black man. The Straits TimesRC “US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was considering asking the FBI to look into the death of an 18-year-old Black man” Read at The Straits Times ↗ New York PostR “President Trump said he may ask the FBI to look into the death of Nolan Wells during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1Asked by reporters at the White House whether he planned to push the FBI to launch an independent investigation, Trump said: "Well, we're looking at that. Yes, we are." The Straits TimesRC “Trump said: "Well, we're looking at that. Yes, we are."” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Right · 1Wells' body was found on July 6 on the northwest end of Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, after he went missing during a Fourth of July weekend trip with friends from Ocean Springs. The Straits TimesRC “Wells' body was found on July 6 on the northwest end of Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Right · 1The New York Post describes him as a Southwest Mississippi Community College student and football player who travelled by boat to the island with friends but did not return with them; the Jackson County Sheriff's Department said he was last seen going to the other side of the island with a girl. New York PostR “The Southwest Mississippi Community College student and his pals had travelled by boat to the island, but the teen didn't return with his friends when they left.”“The Jackson County Sheriff's Department said that Wells was last seen traveling to the other side of the island with a girl” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1Authorities had not alleged foul play, but family members, civil rights leaders and others questioned transparency, accountability and disparities in attention to cases involving Black victims. The Straits TimesRC “Although authorities had not alleged foul play, questions were raised in the weeks after his death by family members, civil rights leaders and others” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Right · 1Last month a grand jury unanimously declined to indict anyone, and Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said there was no evidence that the disappearance and death were racially motivated. The Straits TimesRC “Last month, a grand jury unanimously declined to indict anyone in the death.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Right · 1On Monday the teen's father, Elmore Wonsley, asked for a federal investigation, saying: "Our son was found on federal land and we are asking the FBI to step in and do a full investigation." New York PostR “"Our son was found on federal land and we are asking the FBI to step in and do a full investigation," Wonsley said.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1The family's attorney, Ben Crump, said the grand jury result left "more questions than answers" and that Mississippi was "attempting to close the chapter on Nolan Wells' death without getting to the truth." New York PostR “"Today, the State of Mississippi is attempting to close the chapter on Nolan Wells' death without getting to the truth," Crump said in the statement.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1Trump described only that he was considering the step; the coverage reports no FBI response. The Straits TimesRC “he was considering asking the FBI to look into the death” Read at The Straits Times ↗
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.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report Trump's remark as a tentative openness to an FBI look, set against the family's call for a federal inquiry and the grand jury's decision.
- Emphasis
- Trump's quote; the grand jury outcome; the family's request (the Post adds Wonsley and Crump quotes and the sheriff's account).
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports any FBI or Justice Department response, or a firm commitment from Trump.
- For example
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“Trump's comments come after the family of the teenager called earlier this week for a federal investigation into his death” — The Straits Times
“The teen's family was suspicious of the grand jury decision” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Trump said on 7 October that his administration is looking at an FBI inquiry into Nolan Wells' death.
- A grand jury declined to indict anyone last month.
- The family has called for a federal investigation.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the death involved foul play or racial motive
- Right
- Authorities and the grand jury found none; the family and supporters question this, per both outlets.
Donald Trump person
Said the administration is "looking at" an FBI inquiry without committing.
“Well, we're looking at that. Yes, we are.” — The Straits Times
Nolan Wells person
His family disputes the finding and wants the FBI to investigate; authorities and the grand jury found no foul play or racial motive.
“Our son was found on federal land and we are asking the FBI to step in and do a full investigation” — New York Post
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Trump says he may ask FBI to look into Nolan Wells death
Neutral Reuters wire copy run by the Straits Times; plain report of Trump's remark with background on the grand jury.
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Trump says FBI may investigate Nolan Wells’ death: ‘We’re looking at that’
Neutral Leads with Trump's quote, then gives the family's and Crump's doubts alongside the sheriff's and grand jury findings.
- 7 Oct 20:04 First The Straits TimesRC Trump says he may ask FBI to look into Nolan Wells death via Reuters
- 8 Oct 05:00 +8h 56m New York PostR Trump says FBI may investigate Nolan Wells’ death: ‘We’re looking at that’
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.