In a striking moment of live journalism, a CBS Austin reporter seemed to push back against directives to underplay coverage of a pro-Israel-US protest. This protest emerged in the aftermath of American and Israeli military actions against Iran, capturing significant public attention.
Vinny Martorano found himself amidst a fervent crowd at the Texas Capitol on Saturday. Protestors waved Iranian flags and voiced their support with chants of ‘thank you Trump’ and ‘thank you Bibi,’ creating a dynamic backdrop. During a live Facebook broadcast, Martorano received instructions that appeared to suggest a shift in focus away from the demonstration.
Reacting to a message relayed to him via a crew member’s phone, Martorano was heard questioning, “What does that mean?” His query was met with an explanation from an off-screen colleague, noting that the station preferred not to emphasize the protest too heavily.
In a moment of candid defiance, Martorano responded, “Well, I am,” and continued his live coverage unabated, ensuring the event remained front and center for viewers.
This exchange rapidly gained traction online, with the clip being shared widely, particularly among conservative social media accounts, highlighting the tension between journalistic integrity and editorial direction.
The moment was quickly clipped and reshared by multiple conservative accounts.
Many presented it as evidence of liberal media bias and posts resharing the clip received views well into the millions.
The rest of Martorano’s report wrapped shortly after the unscripted section.
CBS Austin reporter Vinny Martorano broadcasts live outside the Texas Capitol on Saturday, during coverage that was livestreamed to the station’s Facebook
The moment was quickly clipped and reshared by multiple conservative accounts, after Martorano appeared to ignore direction from superiors, suggesting he de-emphasize coverage of the pro-Israel protest then occurring behind him
Texans taking part in the procession, which was launched in protest of the Islamic Republic regime
‘The strike is drawing a variety of opinions,’ Martorano says in the full version of the clip.
‘Some people like this group behind me are thanking [Donald] Trump and the United States government for following through with this attack against Iran – while other people across the city say there needs to be more peace in the Middle East.’
The remarks addressed the two protests near the Capitol at the time – one in favor of the attacks and one against.
The Facebook livestream, which lasted roughly 11 minutes, ended there.
The Daily Mail has approached Martorano and CBS Austin for comment.
Martorano’s report – specifically the unscripted portion – is still up.
Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday after the initial volley of strikes. As the dueling protests in Austin suggested, Americans remain divided on the subject of regime change.
After receiving what looked like a command to ‘not focus’ on the procession, Martorano proceeded with his coverage
Conservatives in favor shared Martorano’s report, accusing CBS of engaging in media bias.
However, the Austin branch is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group – a right-leaning broadcaster that made headlines last year for its decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its ABC affiliates over jokes its host made surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
CBS itself – particularly CBS News – has been plagued by allegations of liberal media bias for the past several years.
The network was acquired by David Ellison’s Skydance late last year when it purchased its parent company, Paramount. Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, are close allies of Trump.
Trump urged Iranians to ‘seize control of your destiny’ and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979 in a video shared on Truth Social on Saturday after the strikes.
Trump confirmed the Ayatollah had been killed in one of the volleys on Sunday, after the claim was initially made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu echoed Trump’s call for change in a statement Saturday that claimed the military operation will create ‘the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.’
Persians were seen celebrating news of Khamenei’s death in several cities across the US and in Iran over the weekend. Many in the US remain opposed to interfering with the Islamic Republic regime.
Iranian state media confirmed the death of Khamenei on Sunday. The reporter noted how Americans remain divided on any regime change in a portion of his report that did not go viral
Trump urged Iranians to ‘seize control of your destiny’ and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979 on Saturday after the strikes
As of Monday, more US forces were being deployed into the region, US General Dan Caine said.
Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth said the US goal in Iran at the moment is to ‘destroy the missile threats, destroy the navy, no nukes.’
He rejected any notion of a prolonged operation.
