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CBS Austin Reporter Defies Order to Downplay Pro‑Trump Rally, Facebook Live Moment Goes Viral

Online debate grows over editorial direction at Sinclair-owned KEYE-TV.

Overview

  • During a Facebook Live rehearsal, a crew member told Vinny Martorano that “they don’t want us to focus on this,” and he replied, “Well, I am.”
  • He then delivered a live report from the Texas Capitol describing divided reactions to the U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran, noting both anti-strike demonstrators and a counterprotest thanking President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • Footage captured Persian-American attendees waving Lion-and-Sun flags and chanting “Thank you Trump” and “Thank you Bibi.”
  • The roughly 30-second exchange spread quickly on X, with Mediaite highlighting multimillion-view reposts and Hindustan Times citing more than 100,000 related posts.
  • Martorano posted videos of both gatherings on X, and coverage underscored that CBS Austin (KEYE-TV) is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group.