Obama added to SEAL Team Six documentary

The President's role in a documentary about the killing of Osama bin Laden has been boosted

Published October 24, 2012 1:30PM (EDT)

A National Geographic documentary about the hunt for Osama bin Laden is adding additional news footage of the President to the final cut of the film, set to air November 4th.

From the New York Times:

"But the star turn is virtually certain to bolster claims that the approximately 90-minute film amounts to a political stunt. Set for a prime-time debut on Nov. 4 on the National Geographic Channel, and a release the next day on Netflix, the film — 'SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden' — is being backed by Harvey Weinstein, a longtime Democratic contributor and one of the Obama campaign’s most vigorous backers. Mr. Weinstein bought the rights to the film for about $2.5 million at the Cannes festival in May."

National Geographic contends that the film is not political, and told the Times that it removed a scene suggesting Mitt Romney opposed the raid. “We wouldn’t air this if it were propaganda,” said Howard T. Owens, the chief executive of the network.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2012 Elections Barack Obama Harvey Weinstein Navy Seal Osama Bin Laden Seal Team Six