CNN’s Brian Stelter: Conservative Media “Weaponized” Smollett Hate Hoax
By Richard Moorhead
The CNN host believes alternative media took advantage of the situation.
CNN’s Brian Stelter responded to the revelation of Jussie Smollett’s likely hate hoax in a predictable, although laughable, manner in a segment on his network Saturday.
Stelter claimed that the story had been thoroughly “weaponized” by conservative media. He made a distinction between “strong, high quality news organizations” and their competitors, apparently living in an alternate reality in which CNN is the former.
The CNN host revised history, trying to claim that the mainstream media had covered the story carefully with an appropriate amount of skepticism. In reality, outlets such as CNN treated Smollett’s account with credibility from the get-go, only questioning the story when it became clear police were investigating the possibility of a hoax. Stelter went on to say that the story had been effectively weaponized by “random websites all over the web.”
Stelter left it unclear exactly what was “weaponized-” it’s possible he’s simply uncomfortable having to admit that mainstream media were exposed as naive dupes once again by their alternative media competitors.
CNN’s coverage of the incident is somewhat reminiscent of their reaction to another hate hoax, the now-discredited smears against the boys of Covington Catholic High School. In both incidents, the fake news network treated a narrative invented by progressives as factual when there was more than enough evidence to suggest it was less than truthful.
CNN presenter Don Lemon spoke of texting and calling Smollett every day in the aftermath of the fake “attack.” His exchange with the likely hoaxer doesn’t seem to have led him to consider that the attack, which was clearly unlikely to have occurred in the manner Smollett described from the beginning, was fake.
‘Modern-Day Lynching:’ Booker and Kamala Didn’t Wait for the Facts in the Jussie Smollett Case
Don’t hold your breath for apologies.
By
Two 2020 presidential candidates, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) jumped at the opportunity to accuse ordinary Americans of harboring hatred for minorities in the wake of the attack on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.
“The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I’m glad he’s safe,” Booker said of the attack. “To those in Congress who don’t feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention.”
Harris had a similar message.
“This was an attempted modern day lynching,” she claimed. “No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”
Trending: Obama Declared 13 National Emergencies — 11 Are Still Active
As it turns out, the “crime” was neither a lynching attempt, nor motivated by race or sexuality. In fact, it was totally made up. Chicago police now believe that Smollett orchestrated the “attack” with two men, his “attackers.” Both are reportedly Nigerian nationals and extras on “Empire.”
Smollett’s story – that bigots yelling “this is MAGA country” beat him, wrapped a rope around his neck, and soaked him in bleach – conformed to the worldview of Harris and Booker perfectly. They believe that America is a fundamentally bad country filled with intolerant racists, and that only the progressive agenda can save America from the backwards people in “flyover country” who would commit a heinous crime like the one Smollett made up.
So they pounced (in the parlance of our times) without waiting for the facts to come to light, despicably seizing on the opportunity to race-bait, and to prove that their worldview is the correct one. They were wrong. Again.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gets a dishonorable mention, too.
“The racist, homophobic attack on @JussieSmollett is an affront to our humanity. No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love. I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery & that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once & for all,” she Tweeted.
To be sure, these people do not care about Smollett, or even racism and homophobia. They care about virtue signaling to their idiotic progressive base to score cheap political points.
Fortunately for the Speaker, justice will be served. And Smollett will be on the losing end.
BREAKING: Two Suspects and Workout Partners of Jussie Smollett Are UNDER ARREST — BEING HELD BY POLICE
February 15, 2019
HATE HOAX UPDATE—-
Multiple sources told ABC 7 Chicago on Thursday that Jussie Smollett and two other suspects were being questioned by police for staging the racist sub-freezing attack in January.
Sources said Smollett’s character was being written out of the show Empire.
The two suspects are brothers and friends of Jussie Smollett.
Smollett follows their Instagram account.
And they work out together!
The brothers appeared on “Empire” in the past.
The brothers appeared on “Empire” in the past.
Abimbola ‘Abel’ (left), 25, and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo (right) are the two brothers being questioned over the Jussie Smollett attack. (Daily Mail)
The two Nigerian brothers Abimbola ‘Abel’ and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo are now under arrest.
Jussie has a lot of explaining to do.
Hate Hoax Update: Jussie Smollett Hurls More Racist Insults at Doubters of Alleged Polar Vortex MAGA Beating
by Jim Hoft February 14, 2019
Actor Jussie Smollett arrived in Chicago on January 28th. He went out to get fast food at 2 a.m. when he said he was allegedly attacked by two Trump supporters in MAGA hats who recognized him in the freezing cold, beat him, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck.
It was -15 to -30 degrees wind chill on Tuesday morning.
Smollett said the mysterious MAGA men poured bleach on his head but bleach freezes at 18 degrees.
The weather on Tuesday was a low of -9 degrees.
Frozen bleach will not pour.
Jessie Smollett said he was assaulted and suffered a cracked rib but condo surveillance video shows Smollett walking past security to the elevator without telling them he had just been attacked by thugs who “beat the hell out of him” and “broke his ribs.”
On Saturday Smollet admitted his rib was not broken.
This was complete crap – just like the rest of the story.
Via Michelle Malkin:
And Jussie was carrying his Subway sandwich when he arrived home — he saved it during the alleged assault!
Jussie Smollett says he was talking to his manager during the assault but he won’t turn over his phone.
The Associated Press reported that police had released images of “persons of interest” from surveillance camerafootage, but were unable to find footage of Smollett being attacked.
The persons depicted in the police video were said to be walking away from the scene prior to 1:45AM.
Jussie Smollett’s neighbors say they doubt his assault story.
On Wednesday Rafer Weigel reported the Chicago police will re-interview actor Jussie Smollett over his redacted phone records.
But Jussie continues to speak out on the alleged late night assault.
On Good Morning America Jussie Smollett accused his doubters of being racist Islamophobes.
“I have to acknowledge the lies, and the hate,” he told “Good Morning America” in an interview with host Robin Roberts that aired on Thursday. “And it feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me much more. A lot more. And that says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now.”
Police said they will press charges if they discover Jussie lied about the alleged attack.
It can’t come soon enough.
BEST DRAMA: Jussie Smollett cries as he gives his first interview… Is ‘EMPIRE’ Star’s Story Falling Apart? Hate Crime Hoax?
By Jennifer Smith
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Smollett gave an interview to ABC’s Robin Roberts that will air on Thursday
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In a brief promo video for the interview, he welled up after being asked if he feared for his life
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The actor was walking home from a Subway on January 29 when he was attacked
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It was 2am when the attackers beat him, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck
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He arrived home and his friend, Frank Gatson, 60, insisted they call the police
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Since then, no footage of the incident has been found and police have no leads
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They have also been at odds with the star over his cooperation with their probe
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Smollett did not hand over his phone records to prove that he was on a call to his manager at the time of the attack for two weeks
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The records he supplied were redacted and police described them as ‘insufficient’
Chicago Police Department launched a frantic hunt for his attackers who he said shouted ‘This is MAGA country!’ after punching his ribs, pouring bleach on him and tying a noose around his necks.
In the weeks that followed, details of the incident have been picked over forensically.
Despite finding video of Smollett before and after the attack, police have not been able to uncover any surveillance footage of the actual incident and they have not been able to identify the suspects.
They released an initial image of two men walking near Smollett on the night of the incident at around the same time but that led to nothing.
They have also pointed out repeatedly that Smollett did not immediately turn over his phone records or his phone to prove that he was on a call with his manager, Brandon Z. Moore, when the attack took place as claimed.
It carries special significance because Moore claims to have heard the attackers calling Smollett ‘Empire f****t n****r’ and shouting: ‘This is MAGA country!’
Within the first few days of the attack, he gave an interview to Variety saying he had heard the slurs but he has not spoken about it since.
On Monday, Smollett finally did hand over his records but they were redacted.
Chicago Police Department described them as ‘insufficient proof’ of the call.
The actor angrily responded that via a representative that he was never told as much and that they were redacted to protect ‘personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack.’
In a statement to DailyMail.com on Tuesday night, a spokesman for the actor said: ‘Jussie is the victim here, which has been stated by the Superintendent of Police.
‘Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police. Chicago PD has repeatedly informed us that they find Jussie’s account of what happened that night consistent and credible. Superintendent Johnson has been clear from day one that Jussie is a victim.
‘We are continuing to work closely with the Chicago PD and remain confident that they will find Jussie’s attackers and bring them to justice.
‘Any redacted information was intended to protect the privacy of personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack.
‘Chicago Police have not told us that they are rejecting any records, nor have they expressed concerns about the records to us.
‘Therefore, we don’t feel compelled to be bated (sic) into responding to uncorroborated press reports.
‘We are dealing directly with the Chicago Police Department.’
BREAKING: NEW LEAD In Jussie Smollett Case – Retailers Of Rope Jussie Wore For Police Identified
February 8, 2019
Just over a week ago, obscure actor, Jussie Smollett, made national headlines when he claimed he’d been beaten by two racist and homophobic Trump supporters in Chicago at 2am on one of the coldest nights in years.
Smollette’s story quickly raised suspicions leading to an unprecedented investigation for a crime of this nature.
If Jussie is telling the truth, the crime is heinous and the thugs must be caught and brought to justice. If, on the other hand, Jussie is lying about what happened that night, then HE needs to be brought to justice for wasting tens of thousands of dollars in police resources, not to mention the opportunity costs of all the time not spent on real cases while they chased down this one.
Police are making progress getting to the truth about what, if anything, happened to actor Jussie Smollet.
Rafer Weigel reports:
Rafer is bravely doing the job of an old fashioned reporter. He’s getting information from official and background sources, and reporting it regardless of political/social implications. Straight. Unbiased. No wonder hacks like DeRay are attacking him!
He’s reporting what police are saying, Dray. Note the 2nd word in the previous sentence.
Also I question any supposed reporter who thinks it’s fine that the Chicago PD is carrying out a smear campaign against a victim of a crime
— A WOMENS RIGHT TO CHOOSE MATTERS!!!! (@KLEOPATRAJONZ) February 5, 2019
Yeah, that’s just crazy town right there. The police have been extremely consistent in treating Mr Smollett as a victim of a crime. If anything, Mr Smollett is receiving preferential treatment. How many other muggings in his neighborhood receive this many police man hours? This is not the only alleged racial attack to go down in the very high rent Streeterville neighborhood. (He’s living with the 1%ers fo sho!) Has there ever been a police response of this magnitude for any other similar crime that happens regularly in Chicago?
In fact, just last year, this same neighborhood had to putout warnings due to violent attacks. I wonder how many man hours were spent investigating these crimes vs those alleged by Jussie Smollett.
HOLLYWOOD LIBERAL ELLEN PAGE SUGGESTS TRUMP, PENCE RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTACK ON EMPIRE ACTOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Actress accuses president, vice president of spreading hate in Trump Derangement Syndrome breakdown
Unhinged actress Ellen Page accused President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of spreading hatred toward gays, suggesting they’re responsible for the recent attack on Empire actor Jussie Smollett.
In an emotional breakdown on Thursday’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Page claimed Pence did not want her to be married to her lesbian spouse and blamed the Trump administration of stoking hate against the LGBTQ community.
“I’m like really fired up right now, but it feels impossible not to feel this way right now with the president and the vice president, Mike Pence, who wishes I could not be married, let’s just be clear,” Page said.
“The vice president of America wishes I didn’t have the love with my wife,” she continued. “He wanted to ban that in Indiana. He believes in conversion therapy, he has hurt LGBTQ people so badly as the governor of Indiana.”
“Connect the dots, this is what happens,” Page said, discussing Smollett who she admits she did not know on a personal level. “If you are in a position of power and you hate people and you want to cause suffering to them, you go through the trouble, you spend your career trying to cause suffering — what do you think is going to happen? Kids are going to be abused, and they’re going to kill themselves and people are going to be beaten on the street.”
Page cited her new show Gaycation for giving her a wider perspective on gay issues.
“I have traveled the world and I have met the most marginalized people you could meet,” she said. “I am lucky to have this time and the privilege to say this. This needs to f—ing stop.”
Smollett was allegedly attacked by two people earlier this week in Chicago in what police are investigating as a “hate crime.” The attackers, who reportedly had their faces covered, beat Smollett as they called him racist and gay slurs, threw a chemical substance on him, and put a rope around his neck.
Some reports claim the suspects yelled, “MAGA country!” during the attack, however those reports have not been substantiated.
Police are still combing through surveillance video of the area, but have yet to locate footage showing the attack. Chicago PD spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi claimed Smollett refused to turn his phone over to detectives.
President Trump on Thursday addressed the attack, saying, “That I can tell you is horrible.”
“It doesn’t get worse,” he added.
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