February 17, 2019
Smollett apparent hate crime hoax a crisis for media that jumped to vilify Trump supporters
By Thomas Lifson
America’s progressives and their fellow-traveling media finally must cope with an apparent hate crime hoax that can’t be swept under the rug. I was stunned Saturday as I watched CNN’s hourly newscast at 7 PM EST: the first twenty minutes (two segments) were devoted to the news that Chicago Police were casting doubt on Jussie Smollett’s claim to have been attacked by noose- and bleach-wielding MAGA hat-wearing thugs who shouted their support for MAGA and Trump. This editorial decision of the suits at the Trump-hating network must indicate that they realize they have a crisis on their hands.
The media and many Democrat politicians had leaped on the opportunity to reinforce their false narrative that Trump is a stone-cold racist and homophobe, and his followers, driven mad by his rhetoric, are the modern-day incarnation of the KKK. Media Research Center data shows that prior to the story starting to fall apart Thursday night:
…the flagship morning and evening broadcast network newscasts spent 101 minutes and 22 seconds helping to spin Smollett’s original claims from the first newscasts on the night of January 29 after the story broke through the February 14 evening newscasts (excluding teases).
ABC’s behavior was particularly pitiful. Between Good Morning America and World News Tonight, the Disney-owned network was responsible for 52 minutes and 38 seconds of sympathetic coverage.
