President Trump once again erroneously claimed that the investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia is a “hoax” during a joint press conference today with the Norweigan Prime Minister.
It’s a transparent tactic that he’s employed more frequently as more and more indications emerge that special counsel Robert Mueller might completely topple his sputtering presidency. The president is frightened and he’s lashing out.
“Well again John, there has been no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians or Trump and Russians. No collusion,” the president said in response to a question about the Mueller investigation.
He then made the absurd and totally unfounded claim that Democrats colluded with Russia. It’s a desperate distraction bid from a man who knows his time is running out.
President Trump: "There's no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians … it's a Democrat hoax" https://t.co/ZTN8arxFPv pic.twitter.com/RV6rDzKi6z
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) January 10, 2018
In response, Shep Smith — who is one of the few remaining rational voices on the Fox News network — fact-checked the absurd claim that the Russia investigation is a “Democratic hoax.”
“It is not,” Smith said bluntly, before itemizing the numerous pieces of evidence that prove it’s anything but a hoax.
He pointed out that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos have already pleaded guilty. Furthermore, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has been indicted. The investigation is still ongoing and is branching off into money laundering and Trump ties to Russia. It’s the furthest thing from a hoax.
VIDEO BELOW
Shepard Smith fact checks Trump on claimed Russia "hoax" immediately following news conference pic.twitter.com/OGHJy0WWn4
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) January 10, 2018
Fox News has effectively become state media, running constant positive coverage of the president regardless of how terrible a job he does. It’s nice to see Shep Smith resisting the network-wide propaganda efforts, but one can’t help but wonder how much longer he’ll be permitted to remain on the air. He isn’t falling in line, and is quickly becoming a problem for President Trump.
