Propublica's meticulously researched and reported story about McKinsey's roles in designing ICE's detention centers, advising ICE to skimp on supervision, food and medical care, is as unimpeachable as all of Propublica's work.
Nevertheless, McKinsey released an 800-word statement falsely claiming that Propublica had "mislead readers" with an article that "ignores many of the factual points that we presented." The rebuttal contains many verifiable falsehoods (for example, it repeatedly accuses Propublica of publishing things it did not publish), and several misleading claims.
McKinsey is paying to make this article the top Google result for "McKinsey ICE," ensuring that its misleading and false spin is above the factual reporting on its conduct.
Propublica has published a detailed, point-by-point rebuttal to McKinsey's spin.
Claim:
“We did not recommend a reduction in the quality of food or healthcare for detainees.”
Response:
ProPublica did not report that McKinsey recommended a reduction in the quality of food and medical care. The article reported that McKinsey recommended reducing the amount of money spent on food and medical care. (As noted, the text of the story used the phrase “proposed cuts in spending on food for migrants, as well as on medical care.”)
McKinsey did not dispute that prior to publication and does not dispute it now. Neither did Cox, the ICE spokesman.
McKinsey Called Our Story About Its ICE Contract False. It’s Not. [Ian McDougall/Propublica]
