Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Dan Rather

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Dan Rather.

Dan Rather is an American journalist and former national evening news anchor, renowned for his extensive career covering major historical events. He gained early recognition for his reporting during Hurricane Carla in 1961, aiding in the evacuation of 350,000 people. Throughout his career, Rather reported on pivotal moments such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, 9/11, the Iraq War, and the war on terror, establishing himself as a prominent figure in broadcast journalism.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 1974: Confrontation with Nixon at News Conference

In March 1974, at a Houston news conference, Dan Rather questioned President Richard Nixon about his cooperation with the Watergate investigation. This led to a tense exchange and accusations of biased coverage.

November 10, 1980: Cab Incident in Chicago

On November 10, 1980, Dan Rather was involved in an incident with a cab driver in Chicago after asking to be taken to Studs Terkel's home for an interview for 60 Minutes. The driver refused and drove erratically, leading to a disorderly conduct charge. Rather declined to press charges.

1980: Carl Galloway lawsuit against Rather and CBS

In 1980, Carl Galloway, a California doctor, sued Dan Rather and CBS, claiming a 60 Minutes report wrongly implicated him in an insurance fraud scheme. The jury sided with CBS and Rather, and they won the case.

September 1986: "Courage" Broadcast Ending

For one week in September 1986, Dan Rather ended his broadcasts with the word "courage", but was ridiculed for it.

September 1986: Rather's use of "courage" sign-off

For one week in September 1986, Dan Rather signed off his CBS broadcasts with the word "courage". This was ridiculed by other newscasters, and he stopped using the sign-off.

October 4, 1986: Attack on Dan Rather: "What's the frequency, Kenneth?"

On October 4, 1986, Dan Rather was attacked in New York by a man who repeatedly asked, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?". The assailant continued to repeat the question as he pummeled and kicked Rather. The crime remained unsolved for some time and led to much speculation, but Rather's account of the bizarre incident was fully confirmed.

September 11, 1987: Rather walks off set due to U.S. Open delay, causing dead air

On September 11, 1987, Dan Rather walked off the set in anger because a U.S. Open tennis match ran long, delaying the Evening News. This resulted in six minutes of dead air for over 100 CBS affiliate stations.

1988: Bush references Rather's walk-off during live interview about Iran-Contra

In 1988, during a live interview about the Iran-Contra affair, Vice President George H.W. Bush referenced Dan Rather's 1987 walk-off, asking Rather how he would like to have his career judged by those seven minutes. Bush's favorability benefited in Iowa and New Hampshire after the interview.

1994: William Tager kills NBC stagehand

In 1994, William Tager killed NBC stagehand Campbell Montgomery outside The Today Show studio.

1997: Identification of Dan Rather's Attacker

In 1997, William Tager, who was serving time for killing an NBC stagehand, was identified as the man who attacked Dan Rather in 1986. Tager believed TV networks were beaming signals into his brain.

1998: "Rocked by Rape" mashup song parodies Rather

In 1998, the Evolution Control Committee created the mashup song "Rocked by Rape", parodying TV news by using phrases uttered by Dan Rather.

2000: CBS sends cease-and-desist letter over "Rocked by Rape"

In 2000, CBS sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Evolution Control Committee over their mashup song "Rocked by Rape", claiming copyright violation. After fair use responses, CBS desisted.

April 2001: Speaks at Democratic Party Fundraiser

In April 2001, Dan Rather spoke at a Democratic party fundraiser in Austin, where he was the featured speaker; one of the official hosts for the fundraiser was Rather's daughter.

June 2002: Andy Rooney Calls Rather Transparently Liberal

In June 2002, Andy Rooney stated that Dan Rather is "transparently liberal".

2002: Published Book Bias Alleges Liberal Bias

In 2002, Bernard Goldberg published a book titled Bias, alleging a liberal bias in news organizations, using Dan Rather as a primary example.

September 8, 2004: Reporting on Bush's National Guard Service

On September 8, 2004, Dan Rather reported on '60 Minutes Wednesday' about memos questioning President George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service. The authenticity of these documents was quickly challenged.

September 20, 2004: CBS Retracts Bush Guard Story

On September 20, 2004, CBS retracted the story about President Bush's National Guard service. Dan Rather acknowledged that he would not have aired the story with the documents in question, knowing what he knew then.

2004: Report on President Bush's Military Record

In 2004, a report on President Bush's military record which was criticized after 60 Minutes II ran the report. Numerous critics questioned the authenticity of the documents upon which the report was based.

2004: National Review Article on 'The First Rathergate'

In 2004, the National Review published an article questioning the veracity of claims made in Dan Rather's 'The Wall Within' special, alleging that some veterans had fabricated their experiences.

2005: Criticism After Bush's Military Record Report

By the 2005-06 season, CBS Evening News lagged behind other networks and faced criticism after a 2004 report about President Bush's military record was questioned.

2005: Departure from Anchor Desk

In 2005, Dan Rather left the anchor desk following the Killian documents controversy.

2005: Walter Cronkite's criticism of Dan Rather on CNN

In 2005, Walter Cronkite criticized Dan Rather's performance as CBS anchor on CNN's American Morning, stating that he was surprised CBS tolerated Rather's low ratings for so long and that Bob Schieffer should have been given the position sooner.

September 2007: Lawsuit Against CBS and Viacom

In September 2007, Dan Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS and its former parent company, Viacom, claiming he was made a "scapegoat" in the Killian documents controversy.

September 19, 2007: Rather Files Lawsuit Against CBS

On September 19, 2007, Dan Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS, Viacom, and network executives, accusing them of making him a "scapegoat" in the Killian documents story.

September 20, 2007: Dan Rather Comments on 'Rathergate' Controversy

On September 20, 2007, Dan Rather commented on Larry King Live saying that no one has proven the documents fraudulent in the 'Rathergate' controversy and that the truth of the story stands up to this day.

2008: Criticizes Political Influence in Journalism

At a 2008 conference in Minneapolis, Dan Rather criticized both local and national news organizations, stating that there is no longer incentive to do "good and valuable news".

September 2009: Lawsuit Dismissal

In September 2009, an intermediate New York state appeals court dismissed Dan Rather's lawsuit against CBS and Viacom.

September 21, 2009: Rather's Lawyers Claim Vindication

On September 21, 2009, Rather's lawyers claimed that they would prove that Bush's military service was a sham and that Rather would be vindicated in the CBS lawsuit.

September 29, 2009: Lawsuit Against CBS Dismissed

On September 29, 2009, a New York state appeals court dismissed Dan Rather's lawsuit against CBS.

January 12, 2010: Top Court Refuses to Reinstate Lawsuit

On January 12, 2010, New York's top court refused to reinstate Dan Rather's breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS Corp.

January 2010: Lawsuit Reinstatement Refusal

In January 2010, the New York Court of Appeals refused to reinstate Dan Rather's lawsuit against CBS and Viacom.

May 18, 2012: Rather Claims He Was Fired

On May 18, 2012, Dan Rather claimed on Real Time With Bill Maher that he was fired for reporting a story about George W. Bush's year of absence from the reserve unit.

2013: Rather denies anger in 1987 walk-off incident

In his 2013 book, Dan Rather denied being angry or upset during the 1987 walk-off incident, stating that he was only misinformed about the timing of the tennis match.