Reporter Miguel Almaguer, who famously mysteriously disappeared from NBC News for several weeks after his explosive Paul Pelosi report was retracted in 2022, has left the network.
On Nov. 4, 2022, Almaguer suggested in a report that aired on “Today” that Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, might not have been in immediate danger when police arrived the night he was assaulted in his San Francisco home. NBC News retracted the report that afternoon as it began to go viral, saying it didn’t meet standards.
Almaguer, once a regular on “Today” and “NBC Nightly News,” was then absent until he quietly returned on Dec. 12, 2022. He was reportedly suspended, but NBC wouldn’t admit it on the record and Almaguer did not respond to multiple requests for comment during the prolonged absence. Media insiders were baffled by NBC News’ lack of transparency on the issue, and some liberal outlets fumed the report had fueled far-right conspiracy theories about the nature of the attack.
Almaguer’s retracted report about Pelosi was accurate in several respects, including that police appeared unaware they were at the home of the Pelosis when they arrived, and that Paul Pelosi didn’t immediately declare an emergency when police came to the door. He had already called 911 at that point after DePape forced his way into the home while Pelosi was asleep.
Bodycam footage, however, appeared to contradict Almaguer’s claim that Pelosi “began walking several feet back into the foyer toward the assailant and away from police” when the door opened. Pelosi appeared to be gripping the hammer being held by DePape; seconds after police arrived, DePape wrenched it from his grip and struck him with it, fracturing Pelosi’s skull. The police then burst in and tackled and arrested him immediately afterward. DePape was convicted of the assault in November.
Fox News’ David Rutz and Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.
Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital. Story tips can be sent to brian.flood@fox.com and on Twitter: @briansflood.
Leave a Reply