‘Painfully ignorant’: Watch network anchor fail to recognize most famous line in Declaration of Independence

By Bob Unruh

Tim Tebow points at the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (Official White House photo)
Tim Tebow points at the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (Official White House photo)

Katy Tur and an MS NOW panel during a recent commentary segment revealed their extensive ignorance of the nation’s Declaration of Independence.

They speculated about the accuracy of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s weekend reference to Americans’ rights deriving from God, not government.

Katy Tur of MS NOW

They did so apparently without comprehending that Johnson literally was quoting from that foundational American document.

During a National Mall event celebrating the coming 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Johnson said, during a prayer, “You gave our fathers the wisdom and faith to establish this new nation, premised on the biblical and foundational principle that all men are created equal and free before you. Through Your divine providence, our Founders acknowledged and boldly proclaimed this self-evident truth: That every single person is created in your image and that we are endowed by you, our Creator, with our unalienable rights to life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness.”

Get the hottest, most important news stories on the Internet – delivered FREE to your inbox as soon as they break! Take just 30 seconds and sign up for WND's Email News Alerts!

Tur opened the discussion by speculating about whether that was “putting God over” the Declaration.

As the Daily Mail explained, “Tur did not recognize a famous line from the Declaration of Independence … .”

Online reports said Tur “and her painfully ignorant panel are gobsmacked” by Johnson’s comment.

The Daily Mail indicated “Johnson had actually been quoting a passage that’s perhaps its most famous.”

Also on the panel was Atlantic writer McKay Coppins, who said, “Well, you know, I actually think that idea is not wholly uncommon.”

He “went on to gloss over” the blunder.

Johnson responded with a “newsflash” for MS NOW:

“The Declaration literally proclaims the self-evident truth that our rights come from our Creator.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speculated about how someone could be “so historically ignorant.”

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.


, ,

Leave a Comment