MSNBC Bashed for Showing ‘Sympathy’ Toward Laken Riley’s Killer

MSNBC.com stirred outrage this week with a headline many conservatives slammed as shockingly sympathetic to a convicted murderer.

The headline, which stated “Laken Riley’s killer never stood a chance,” was widely criticized for downplaying the victim, Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was brutally murdered in February.

What the fuck is this shit pic.twitter.com/sUcH8Wsuru

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 22, 2024

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As reported by Fox News, the article, published Thursday, detailed the conviction of Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of multiple counts of murder and other crimes.

According to the MSNBC piece, the overwhelming evidence against Ibarra made it “a hopeless case” for his defense team.

However, the headline’s phrasing caused an uproar on social media, with many accusing the outlet of shifting sympathy away from Riley and her grieving family to her murderer.

Prominent conservative commentator, @AGHamilton29 expressed outrage on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “You know who never stood a chance? Laken Riley. The actual victim.”

You know who never stood a chance?

Laken Riley. The actual victim. pic.twitter.com/XzRfu5THS5

— AG (@AGHamilton29) November 22, 2024

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah called out the headline, saying it portrayed Riley’s killer as the victim. “Laken Riley’s killer is now the victim, according to MSNBC,” Lee posted.

Laken Riley’s killer is now the victim, according to MSNBC https://t.co/EGw9UWQgT3

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) November 22, 2024

Donald Trump Jr. didn’t hold back, labeling MSNBC’s take as depraved. “You literally can’t make up this level of depravity. These people are sick. The guy is a murderer. He’s an illegal alien that killed an innocent young woman, but MSNBC would rather go to bat for him. However much you hate MSNBC, it’s not enough!”

You literally can’t make up this level of depravity. These people are sick. The guy is a murderer. He’s an illegal alien that killed an innocent young woman but MSNBC would rather go to bat for him.
However, much you hate MSNBC it’s not enough! pic.twitter.com/3YSVmbbVBD

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 22, 2024

Stephen Miller, contributing editor for The Spectator, sarcastically noted, “And this is why MSNBC, the brand, is being sold off for pennies,” referencing rumors that NBCUniversal’s parent company, Comcast, is considering spinning off underperforming networks, including MSNBC.

And this is why MSNBC, the brand, is being sold off for pennies. pic.twitter.com/8FNrLjuaft

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) November 22, 2024

Conservative commentator Adam Johnston added, “Look at how @MSNBC framed the conviction and sentencing of Laken Riley’s killer. Jose Ibarra never stood a chance? No. Laken Riley never stood a chance against this monster. Absolutely sickening.”

Look at how @MSNBC framed the conviction and sentencing of Laken Riley’s killer.

Jose Ibarra never stood a chance?

No. Laken Riley never stood a chance against this monster.

Absolutely sickening. pic.twitter.com/KAjlfNMgM3

— Adam Johnston (@ConquestTheory) November 22, 2024

The backlash wasn’t limited to pundits. Popular social media account “Defiant L’s,” with over a million followers, blasted MSNBC, writing, “Hey MSNBC, you know who also ‘never stood a chance’? Laken Riley. Laken Riley should be alive today. But she never stood a chance because of this monster.”

Hey MSNBC, you know who also “never stood a chance”?

Laken Riley. Laken Riley should be alive today. But she never stood a chance because of this monster. pic.twitter.com/5NqUCkrLjY

— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) November 22, 2024

The case of Jose Ibarra struck a nerve with many Americans frustrated by what they see as a lack of accountability in border enforcement. Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 after fleeing Venezuela. For many critics, the headline exemplified what they view as mainstream media’s tendency to prioritize narratives over justice.

Tea Party Movement co-founder Debbie Dooley also weighed in, condemning MSNBC staff: “The scumbags at @MSNBC showed sympathy to the animal that brutally murdered Laken Riley. It was Laken that never stood a chance.”

The scumbags at @MSNBC
showed sympathy to the animal that brutally murdered Laken Riley.

It was Laken that never stood a chance pic.twitter.com/VEc1qBU7JI

— Debbie Dooley (@Crimsontider) November 22, 2024

MSNBC did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, and the backlash continued to grow as conservatives hammered the outlet for what they saw as a blatant misstep.