Liberal Media Obsessed Over Russia Collusion but Downplays Durham Revelations It Was Hillary Hoax
Remember Lesley Stahl when Trump said his campaign was spied on: “This is ’60 Minutes.’ We can’t put on things we can’t verify.”
Have you noticed that liberal media outlets are largely ignoring the latest findings of the Durham Investigation? It should come as no surprise.
They talked and reported obsessively over any new development about the Trump Russia collusion hoax, but look the other way on Durham.
Over the last few years, when they did talk about Durham, it was to downplay the investigation.
Angelica Stabile reports at FOX News:
’60 Minutes,’ CNN, MSNBC, downplayed, criticized Durham probe of Russia investigation
The mainstream media is getting a wake-up call after new allegations in the Durham investigation that President Trump and his campaign were being spied on.
Special Counsel John Durham released in a filing Saturday that the Hillary Clinton campaign hired techs to “infiltrate” Trump Tower and White House servers to establish a “narrative” to link Trump to Russia. The new findings contradict various doubtful media coverage from programs like CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
In an October 2020 interview, Trump appeared on the newsmagazine to address the ongoing investigation and his claim his campaign was spied on. He was shot down by host Lesley Stahl, who insisted the president was spreading unverified information.
“There’s no real evidence,” she said. “This is ’60 Minutes.’ We can’t put on things we can’t verify.”
Meanwhile, former CNN dynamic duo Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo criticized John Durham and the Trump administration back in December 2019 for being adamant about uncovering the truth, yet coming up short.
I remember when the media couldn’t get enough of the Russia story & would go wall-to-wall over the slightest updates pic.twitter.com/eyHt3eLvI8
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) February 15, 2022
Here’s the Leslie Stahl clip:
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) February 12, 2022
Paul Bedard of the Washington Examiner takes us a bit further down memory lane:
No spying on Trump? 35 times Big Media lied
In his latest court filings, special counsel John Durham isn’t just taking down team Clinton’s wall of defense against charges of spying on Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, but he’s revealing just how vigorously the liberal media worked to hold that wall up.
Over five years, news personalities on the “Big Three” networks and left-leaning cable channels repeatedly dismissed the charges. “There was no spying” was heard as often as Trump’s claim of “fake news.”
But now that Durham has suggested a pattern of spying on Trump’s home, campaign, and White House, media critics such as the Media Research Center are reminding the public just how much the pro-Clinton media lathered on the “no spying” lie.
This video is really something to behold.
Featured image via YouTube.
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Comments
Don’t worry, the Washington Post has it covered.
I hope all of our Trump naysayers here are paying attention. Once again, Trump proves to have been right from day one after suffering vindictiveness from all sides. Now if he could just separate himself from his “miracle” vaccines.
I’m with Mark Levin. Trump has been the most effective force for conservative principles in our lifetimes. He fights and wins! He may not be a conservative but he sure does fight harder than anyone else for the most cherished conservative principles. We need more Trumps and fewer “all-talk, no action” conservatives who can’t ever get their act together. Labels just don’t mean anything anymore. All we do is keep tripping over them on our way to who knows what…. it certainly isn’t winning elections and the doing what we said we were going to do.
“Yeah but…..” Stop! Enough!
And if he had declassified documents in a press conference, instead of tweeting and trying to ask Republicans to go on what looked from the outside to be a wild goose chase there would have been no special council.
Instead he feared declassifying everything and exposing the hoax himself would mean he gets charged with obstruction of justice and the rest is history.
He also didn’t particularly win on domestic policy. We got tax cuts and that is his legacy.
He did an awful lot on domestic policy. Ask any regulatory attorney. Or ask kids on campus who had due process rights restored. Or ask people in Texas and Arizona about the border. Or ask the oil companies and people who got good jobs. But Biden is rolling Trump’s back. Trump can’t do anything about it (though he shares the blame for Biden’s actions because they were made possible, in part, by Trump’s escapades in the Georgia elections and his general instability). I doubt Trump feared being charged with obstruction of justice (by which you probably mean another impeachment).
I partly agree with you, although this one
” Or ask kids on campus who had due process rights restored.”
Would be news to most college students who aren’t leftists. The rest are also policies shared with almost every other Republican politician.
I agree he had better economic and fiscal policies than Biden.
While he shares this with most Republicans he also did ignore major issues like big tech censorship, and the encroachment of CRT till it was way too late, and failed to fully take control of his own agencies and to judge from Mark Milley’s statements never actually tried to provide meaningful oversight to the military. Again shares the flaw with most Republicans but if we don’t start taking the things Trump ignored seriously 2024 will be our last hurrah.
The reason I think he feared an obstruction charge is I can think of no other explanation for how he did things, if you have an alternate explanation I would love to hear it.
He certainly could not control the swamp, even the portions that worked for him directly.
As far as CRT goes, Trump is one of the few presidents I have lived through (including the Rs) that seemed actually wedded to the principle of federalism. Although the fedguv has a Department of Education, it has no constitutional educational authority and provides no actual education.
Obstruction charge? If you mean that Trump expected to be enjoined by a Hawaiian judge every time he did so much as stand up to use the loo, I agree
@Danny
Hate to point it out but many on the left are fully aware of the issues you speak of. It’s a bit more nuanced than just the restoration of due process rights. That particular aspect is good I do disagree that due process can be Steam rolled. However the proposed title had a number of complexities which were debatable.
Now try rethinking your opinions in the context where everything Trump did or allegedly did was an impeachable offense where he got no help from Republicans. The problem wasn’t Trump and his tweets or his wasting time in any way. The guy didn’t seem to sleep.
You hate Trump because…. well just because.
Now wrap you head around the upcoming Texas primaries and try to rationalize why Trump is not indispensable for victories that will transform not only the GOP but America:
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/02/15/texas-goes-first-a-fortnight-from-americas-first-primary-day-what-to-look-for-in-lone-star-state/
Very, very interesting. Looks like the TX GOP is determined to end the party’s march into becoming the next CA. Too much to discuss here and there is plenty of time for that. But take note that the execrable Dan Crenshaw and Rick Perry are endorsing scumbag squishes. Trump has already endorsed the MAGA alternative.
I think Trump endorsed squishy Abbot too early but we’ll see how that plays out. Allan West challenging Abbot matters but a run-off for governor could be a disaster for Abbot. West would have to window in a landslide over issues. Otherwise, Abbot NUST crush Beto O’Roarke.
Another key discovery for me was that Republicans are active in the cities. At last! Boots on the ground in the urban neighborhoods for once. That is GREAT for Trump who is relishes campaigning in the neighborhoods on his own and meeting the real community leaders. Ironic that a builder of so many primo country clubs is the one to take the GOP out of the 19th hole and into the real world.
Try to resist your penchant for deconstructing everything about Trump. Take us to a better place. I don’t see ANYONE available to deliver in Texas like Trump and it would set up doing the same in FL where DeSantis is running for governor. DeSantis needs Trump. Get used to it! After 2022. Trump will need them all. Trump is the ONLY ONE who can destroy the Uniparty. Get on board or get lost.
I never said he did anything impeachable, although he did a lot that was inept but to dissect your post
“Now try rethinking your opinions in the context where everything Trump did or allegedly did was an impeachable offense where he got no help from Republicans. The problem wasn’t Trump and his tweets or his wasting time in any way. The guy didn’t seem to sleep.”
Trump got the budget of his choice twice with the massive expansion of the military budget he asked for while giving concessions to Democrats to get those and got the end of the sequester he was after despite the fact that Republican Party before him was critical of big deficits. He also got the only legislation he asked for (Jail Break, and Tax Breaks) so at least in actual history in this reality on planet Earth he got a lot of help from Republicans.
“Now wrap you head around the upcoming Texas primaries and try to rationalize why Trump is not indispensable for victories that will transform not only the GOP but America:”
That article had nothing about changing America.
“Very, very interesting. Looks like the TX GOP is determined to end the party’s march into becoming the next CA. Too much to discuss here and there is plenty of time for that. But take note that the execrable Dan Crenshaw and Rick Perry are endorsing scumbag squishes. Trump has already endorsed the MAGA alternative.”
I don’t know how you think bringing up something irrelevant like Texas primaries refutes my critique of Trump’s early presidential performance, your rhetoric also could use a lot of work. Going to Texas also isn’t exactly risky for a Republican, a swing state like Michigan or PA on the other hand would actually be impressive but would come with the risk that your candidates lose general.
“I think Trump endorsed squishy Abbot too early but we’ll see how that plays out. Allan West challenging Abbot matters but a run-off for governor could be a disaster for Abbot. West would have to window in a landslide over issues. Otherwise, Abbot NUST crush Beto O’Roarke.”
Giving the governors mansion of Texas to Democrats would be atrocious which is why Trump backed Abbot. Allen West has said more than enough dumb things to make him unelectable, his own election history is also that he lost to a pretty bad candidate.
“Another key discovery for me was that Republicans are active in the cities. At last! Boots on the ground in the urban neighborhoods for once. That is GREAT for Trump who is relishes campaigning in the neighborhoods on his own and meeting the real community leaders. Ironic that a builder of so many primo country clubs is the one to take the GOP out of the 19th hole and into the real world.”
I hope you start being more careful about writing in future, rural and suburban people are as real as urban people, I’m sorry not every place can be as glamorous as NY NY. He also could meet people who aren’t in the city that paragraph just makes no sense. He also shares every policy with traditional Republicans so careful about attacking them. Suggestions I have made like abandoning tax cuts as an issue, not trying to take away health care subsidies from working class families (you know actual populism) you don’t like.
“Try to resist your penchant for deconstructing everything about Trump. Take us to a better place. I don’t see ANYONE available to deliver in Texas like Trump and it would set up doing the same in FL where DeSantis is running for governor. DeSantis needs Trump. Get used to it! After 2022. Trump will need them all. Trump is the ONLY ONE who can destroy the Uniparty. Get on board or get lost.”
Well because this mythical uniparty doesn’t exist we don’t need Trump to destroy it.
You can’t see how the Texas primaries have anything to do with what we are talking about? Are you that obtuse? And there is no such thing as a Uniparty? Wow. You really are new to this aren’t you. Or ten years old.
Saying there is no Uniparty is like saying the Washington Generals’ losing streak is just a fluke and betting they finally beat the Harlem Globetrotters tonight.
Trump’s legacy is tax cuts? Look around, pay attention, read Legal Insurrection. Trump’s legacy is the full outing of the Deep State, seeing displayed day after day the incompetence, hypocrisy, dishonesty, petulant temper tantrums, and consequences of our various governments, their institutions, and the ignorance of its supporters. It took way too long, dangerously so, but it is happening right in front of you. Sit back and enjoy the show…and your tax cut.
Far, far too few of the Deep State’s participants will suffer anything more than, at most, the outrage or embarrassment of being outed (but then are Jeffrey Toobin and the people who returned him to the air embarrassable?) as opposed to a perp walk, an appearance in the dock, or time in jail – hell, we don’t even do that in NY anymore.
Laughably, the Deep State’s response to defend its outing was to foist upon the country,
wait for it…
wait…
wait…
JOE BIDEN ! ! ! !
Phil
I agree we need more people who are interested in accomplishing things that advance the agenda of the populist right (tea party/MAGA). I will support the r nominee in 2024 whomever it is. Can DJT be an effective voice for our issues? Absolutely. Is he the only effective voice? No. Is DJT the most important r political figure on the National stage since Reagan? Unequivocal yes. Is he an indispensable figure? No.
That last part is the key difference between our views on DJT. You seem to view him as an indispensable man. Graveyards are filled with ‘indispensable’ men. Say DJT wins what happens in 2028? He can’t run again so now your indispensable man is sidelined. Does that mean we are doomed because DJT is unable to serve? Of course not. There are several good alternatives in r ranks to carry the populist right banner. DJT may be the preferred option but he isn’t the only option nor is he indispensable.
“Graveyards are filled with ‘indispensable’ men.”
Nice quote but you are taking “indispensabe” out of context. There is only one kind of candidate who can accomplish the big things that need to be accomplished PDQ without getting bogged down with dirty money and the Uniparty: self-financing, clear thinking, determined, thick-skinned and a seasoned bare-knuckled fighter. Trump is THE Colossus among us and he is a proven winner. Sure, there are the usual “conservatives” who are talking good BS but we’ve had enough of those guys. They never pan out. Enough talking. It’s far passed time to get it done. And this is very likely our last chance.
Take a look at the Breitbart Texas primary article I posted. Trump’s INDISPENSABLE value just jumps right out. Substitute anyone you want but it is just a guy who says conservative ideas. His endorsement and ability to direct money to campaigns is negligible to nil. His ability to hit the campaign trail for candidates before stupendously large and enthusiastic audiences… well there has never been anything like Trump and he is probably the last. He is a one of a kind.
So start naming your “several good alternatives” and explain why we should be considering them right now in the heat of battle. The opportunity that exists right now to demolish the Uniparty was 100% due to Trump. He created it, fought for it, and is still leading it. You would replace Tom Brady just before the Super Bowl with a future unproven prospect? No. Brady was indispensable and a proven winner.
Let’s get out of the way and allow Trump finish what he started while he is still with us and leading the charge. We are lucky to have had him for even one term. He deserves a second term and we need him.
Phil,
I think the difference is that no one here (whose not a fly by troll) disputes that Trump was a win for conservatives and for the right in general.
Where we differ greatly is his future value…he is damaged unfortunately. Part of it was self-inflicted, but that was amplified by a malicious media that people in the center of the country do listen to even if they don’t always agree.
Trump is too damaged at this point to hold elected office and be of value to the right. Even if you don’t concede the 2020 election, the left was willing to put up Biden as a viable candidate against him. That should tell you something about what opposition research says about Trump. He is toxic to the WH now the way that Warren or Sanders are toxic and won’t get the left’s nomination for that reason. It would be a monumental mistake for the right to nominate Trump unless the goal is to lose another POTUS election.
We need a DeSantis type that can’t be as easily targeted for scandal and slander because of his workings in the political realm. Down the road, another private sector POTUS could be a good thing but it won’t be Trump.
Agree 100% (Not a shock I know). I have a lot of critiques of his performance as president, but have no regrets about supporting him 2016.
Trump is “damaged” because you Karl Rove types think so. We now have an opportunity to have DeSantis as early as 2024 if Trump sweeps the landscape clean THIS YEAR (hello?). If he does, he just might decide his work is done and his age would rather do something else. So if DeSantis (only 43 years old) and ignores the siren’s song you guys are singing, he AT WORST can do great things for Florida AND American should Trump have to run in 2024. At best, he will be the POTUS candidate in 2028.
Your way, we could very lose Trump AND DeSantis! Yes, WE love DeSantis but he is NOT a shoo-in to win in 2024. Unbelievable. That is why the GOP is the Stupid Party.
You always mischaracterize when you resort to something like “Karl Rove type”.
A Karl Rove type does not want DeSantis to run for POTUS unless someone from the cabal of Cheney/Rove (and their lackey Romney) can control him.
I’m as against that as you.
There is nobody the communist won’t target for a “scandal”: regardless of fact. It’s their play, they stir up false controversies and let the media do all of the legwork for them.
Phil,
I am very content to allow the normal process of the r primary to play out. Let DJT and any others who seek the nomination come forward and present their policy proposals and themselves for examination and scrutiny by the electorate in the r primary. Let’s have a robust internal debate in the primary among the r primary voters as to who the best person to become the r standard bearer is and agree to back that nominee.
I refuse to anoint any particular person at this time be they DJT or someone else as the only acceptable option. You are certainly entitled to exercise your opinion and your primary vote however you wish, but so are the rest of us. I would hope that in the event DJT is examined by the r primary voters and found wanting that you will commit to supporting the r nominee whomever that may be.
I certainly will as I have always done; for Bush, Dole, Bushx2, McCain, Romney and DJTx2. That’s what being in a political party is about; we have alternatives, we examine them and collectively decide who becomes the party nominee which we then support. We don’t demand candidate x to the exclusion of all others before the primary process begins nor do we stay home on election day if our preferred choice loses the primary.
I’m curious what conservative principles do you think Trump was an advocate or exemplar for?
Orp! Orp! Orp!
So you weren’t paying any attention at all for his time in office. You really do sound stupid enough to be a communist.
Oh my days, unlike you I like to get other peoples views rather than sit in an echo chamber.
If you view asking questions as stupid that’s more a reflection on you isn’t it.
Jesus, what is it with people like you using terms like communist just to smear people. Its pretty obvious you use the term in bad faith and without reference to any actual understanding of the term. You use it shut down conversation with those with a different view.
Its also telling that you cant communicate any principles, maybe you’ll surprise me
Phil,
Why is Trump right about everything but “his miracle vaccines”? It says a bit about you that you aren’t critical of anything else he did while in office.
Once a man with a forged birth certificate and stolen social security number is allowed to become president everything is possible.
He began the downfall of America. He promised to fundamentally transform us, and look how low we have gone.
Hear! Hear!
For the left that own most of the media and pander to a lot of groups, the possibilities are downright scary.
That’s why we don’t have the same luxuries and must be careful in nominating with our heads.
That never happened.
Yes, it did and it has been proven.
Nope, not remotely true, not proven. Its a tired lazy, slur
Facebook put me in 24 hour “time out” for saying Hillary should be hanged for treason. Hmmm, I’d like to see the number of anti-Trump people put on 24 hour lockdown between 2016-2020.
They called a time out to allow that idea to sink in without further interruptions. That’s gotta be it.
Your problem is being on facebook.
Abandon the space…let the left get too comfortable and think they have a nationwide echo chamber. It leads to lower voter turnout for them.
There was no “spying”. Period.
Just…”patriotic covert observations against a Russian asset”. (Trying to help the media reframe the narrative).
Ps – this post is certified SARC/
What really peeves me is the lack of opportunity for me to make a rebuttal against some unseen, unaccountable “Karen”
If we had a press corps that was even passingly interested in maintaining some modest objectivity, Trump would have been easily reelected…..Biden’s approval rating would be comfortably in the 20s.
It’s hard to say exactly how much the media is worth to the Democrats. But, considering how ubiquitous political commentary is today, ingrained in just about every bit of media the public consumes, that value has to be in excess of $10B…or more….each year.
“It’s hard to say exactly how much the media is worth to the Democrats”
I have it on good faith that they bought the media for fifty Shekels of silver.
I cannot understand why anyone would characterize malicious outright fraud as a hoax.
I wouldn’t call it fraud. I would call it treason. They sacrificed America for their own advancement. Off with their heads.
This is the “plumbers gang” times three — and one of those times on a sitting president.
This is why you should see media as the enemy and not give someone like Bob Woodward access to yourself.
Never, never, never talk to the media. There is no upside.
(Go here, search for the word “curmudgeon,” then read that post.)
Worth remembering the constitution gives nothing special to the media, the 1st amendment is meant for everyone. Remember this because we need to start our own narrative that removes the media from the perch it occupies.
We need Sarah Palin to disembowel NY Times v. Sullivan.
Our media Democrat party deep state uniparty are beginning to behave like the honchos that controlled the former USSR when confronted by the Polish Solidarity strikes. Any challenge to their authority and control is met by silence and denial and resolve to do more of what caused their troubles in the first place.
Of course — the media was part of the cover up.
It’s a giant nothing burger. Reportedly the issued documents are highly misleading. There are key missing details from indictments and Durham has been shown to be a bad faith actor. He hasn’t actually investigated at all rather issued indictments that contain a mass of spurious, unrelated and unsubstantiated rubbish
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rawstory.com/amp/marcy-wheeler-john-durham-2656673004
Are you really this stupid?
Pardon? Stating that there are flaws doesn’t make stupid that makes me critical. If you have something to say with respect to the substance then say it rather than silly insults
thanks for letting us know what delusions the left spins in their heads every day
Are you going to engage with the actual substance or just ignore it? Why would you think the Durham investigation isn’t anything other than rubbish. That’s given the spurious nature of the indictment which have a mass of unrelated right wing talking points. They are written as propaganda pieces not indictments. If I recall correctly even the professor notes that the original indictment was odd. Of course the view then was that other things would follow but instead nothing has really happened.
The central claim from the citation is that Durham hasn’t actually investigated at all. I guess we shall see. If I’m correct Sussman will file for dismissal and then we shall see what the public record says. If I’m wrong then you can have the pleasure of pointing that out based on the facts rather than some vague and hominem.
Orp! Orp! Orp!
Let me guess…John Durham is just a puppet for the right but Merrick Garland is a freedom-loving patriot?
Funny how that stuff works out for your side and makes it convenient to brush something aside that is inconvenient for you.
I have no interest in engaging with a drive by further than beating them at their own game of standoffish arrogance.
@healthguyfsu
I’m not seeing a response to the substance, your deflecting
=So you trust the same bullshitters who gave us Der Muellers face?
Danny
The Mueller report had a lot of evidence in it as well as resulting in a number of convictions. That’s as opposed to the Durham investigation which has the appearance of a propaganda piece. I’ve been willing to make a prediction of an outcome that is the indictment will be dismissed based on the lack of investigation and lack of facts supporting the indictment. I’d happily retract if I’m wrong
Case in point….only believe someone who has neutral or even right-leaning ties if their “findings” are convenient for your narrative.
You can slug away from that pedestal of truth you tried to hoist yourself up to.
That’s makes no sense, the reason I ‘believe’ the Mueller report is because it presented actual evidence which has then been taken to court and resulted in actual convictions. Its been tested.
You cant claim the same with respect to the Durham investigation.
I note you’ve avoided actually engaging with the substance of my claim contained within the citation. The reality is your argument reduces down to implying your interlockers intent on the basis of nothing but the fact my view is different to yours. Your standard appears to be anything that doesn’t support your view is automatically wrong.
Why is the complicit press playing down the Hillary Clinton hoax?
It’s simple. In the immortal words of Mel Brooks: “Well, gentlemen, we have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here!”
The press used to be of the working class, for the working class.
Today’s press is of the elites, and for the elites.
Harumph!
I’m assiduously compiling data to show who is reacting LESS to the Durham bombshell:
1. The mainstream media.
2. Congressional Republicans.
Not to give them too much credit, but there is little to react to when you don’t have the majority.
Just bide your time and hope to get some power back. Then, those dominoes can fall.
That’s nonsense. In past years, the Democrats have shown us all how the minority can still be incredible pains in the ass. Republicans need to be very vocal about this and call out Democrats on their silence. It’s hard to do that when Republicans are silent themselves.
Well, the first Congressional Republican finally spoke up! Two days late!
And, it was… Charles Grassley.
Sigh.
Of course the press will try their best to memory-hole this entire incident… they’re complicit in the sham.
What? You expect honesty from the media? Have you not been paying attention for the past few years? They’ve never been honest, but Trump truly broke them and they dropped all pretense of honest, integrity or neutrality.
Wake me up when a single person spends a single minute in a courtroom or jail for these ‘bombshell revelations’.
I think several of them will spend time in prison. Word is that this first Durham release is already getting results as witnesses are already flipping and supplying incriminating information hoping to stay out of prison. I’ll be surprised if any of the top people get prosecuted but their careers are over as are their political crime syndicates. Clinton, Obama, Biden are no longer players. Let’s hope a bunch of Republicans also get caught up in the Durham machine. Our government is so thoroughly corrupt, we really do need a Nuremberg-style trial.
Another Trump-endorsed primary challenger doing the job Republican incumbents simply refuse to do:
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/02/16/exclusive-republican-matt-mowers-again-calls-on-nsa-advisor-jake-sullivan-to-resign-following-durham-filing/
If Trump gets enough of these, McConnell and McCarthy can retire.
Paul Sperry is doing the work 99% of all journalists fail to do:
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2022/02/17/the_checkered_past_of_the_fbi_computer_contractor_who_spied_on_trump_816761.html
I guess the question as to Leslie is, “Was she really that ignorant, or was she just shilling?”