Fox News’ Shepard Smith: ‘Lie after lie after lie’

[KSweeley]

Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...hepard-smith-has-a-cronkite-moment-on-russia/

July 14, 2017

Between its “Fox and Friends” morning show and Sean Hannity at night, Fox News has become a haven for those who think this whole Russia thing is nonsense. On Friday morning, Steve Doocy even declared that “the Russia story is starting to fall apart.”

But on Friday afternoon, a Fox host went off on the Trump administration's handling of Russia in a way we've rarely seen.

Shepard Smith is no stranger to challenging the administration and occasionally launching into personal editorials — including one about refugees back in 2015. But on Friday afternoon, he took it a step further, repeatedly accusing the administration of lying, deception and a coverup.

Here's the transcript:

We’re still not clean on this, Chris [Wallace]. If there’s nothing there — and that’s what they tell us, they tell us there’s nothing to this and nothing came of it, there’s a nothingburger, it wasn’t even memorable, didn’t write it down, didn’t tell you about it, because it wasn’t anything so I didn’t even remember it — with a Russian interpreter in the room at Trump Tower? If all of that, why all these lies? Why is it lie after lie after lie? If you clean, come on clean, you know? My grandmother used to say when first we practice to — Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. The deception, Chris, is mind-boggling. And there are still people who are out there who believe we’re making it up. And one day they’re gonna realize we’re not and look around and go, Where are we, and why are we getting told all these lies?

Most journalists are reluctant to use the L-word — “lie.” This blog has covered the administration's contradictory claims and misleading statistics regularly, but calling something a lie implies you know that it was intended to deceive.

An exasperated Smith had clearly had enough of dancing around that word on Friday afternoon.

 

[NullPointer]

7 minute YouTube version here.

 

[Bit-Bit]

Damn, more foxxers are gonna start defecting away from defending Trump. There's only so much you can spin before you realize history will remember you for defending a traitor.

 

[_Ryo_]

He is too good for Faux News.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

I saw a 2 minute clip on Twitter earlier.

He's like the one decent thing on that propaganda outlet. It's amazing they haven't fired him.

 

[~Kinggi~]

Its do or die moments these coming months for good people. Changes will happen.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

FOX never deserved a man of Shep's integrity.

 

[David___]

Wonder why Shep's on Fox of all places.

 

[thespot84]

7 minute YouTube version here.

You linked to 5:33

 

[Raven117]

I really am surprised he is still on Fox.

 

[NullPointer]

Its not just Shep. Chris Wallace lays it out too, after sounding at first like he was going to hedge.

The best point from Chris Wallace, and I wish it wasn't worth pointing out, was when he said clearly that this isn't a right or left issue.

 

[Knuckle Sandwich]

He is too good for Faux News.

If he was he'd gtfo. Instead he's just collecting checks from the Trump propaganda network.

 

[nocturnalis]

I saw a 2 minute clip on Twitter earlier.

He's like the one decent thing on that propaganda outlet. It's amazing they haven't fired him.

He's an original anchor. They would probably face serious backlash and lawsuits if they did.

 

[Fat4all]

Wonder why Shep's on Fox of all places.

i assume he gets paid super well

they also seem to give him a good amount of leeway to say what he wants

edit: also, i think shep is really well liked by the audience

 

[therealist]

Shep is the man.

 

[Dalek]

Shep is right. It's so weird that no one will use the word "Lie".

I mean, Trump Jr. said his meeting was about adoptions. Then The NY Times had the emails. So he published them on twitter. That right there is an blatant admission of a lie.

 

[NullPointer]

You linked to 5:33

Thanks. That link is updated now.

 

[Slayven]

At first i was like Stephen A Smith is on fox? I knew he was suspect but damn

Its do or die moments these coming months for good people. Changes will happen.

I think ratings aren't what they should be, Trump's reign has not be kind to right wing media

 

[Hubbl3]

Damn, more foxxers are gonna start defecting away from defending Trump. There's only so much you can spin before you realize history will remember you for defending a traitor.

Shep and Wallace are the exception and not the rule over there. Fox News watchers also apparently hate them

 

[ReAxion]

it's okay to be on the spin-everything-in-the-worst-possible-way network but this man has drawn a line in the sand at outright lies.

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

Its not just Shep. Chris Wallace lays it out too, after sounding at first like he was going to hedge.

The best point from Chris Wallace, and I wish it wasn't worth pointing out, was when he said clearly that this isn't a right or left issue.

wallace was soft balling calling the lies "stories."

 

[Vyse24]

This is gonna get spun to make it look like he's saying liberals are telling lie after lie after lie, isn't it?

 

[Fat4all]

This is gonna get spun to make it look like he's saying liberals are telling lie after lie after lie, isn't it?

nah, even in the shortened clip flying around facebook it's pretty hard to separate exactly what he's talking about.

 

[pa22word]

Shep and Wallace are the exception and not the rule over there. Fox News watchers also apparently hate them

Yep.

The best narratives always have good heels.

 

[Bounceounce]

Why do people here attempt to give credit to Chris Wallace or Shep Smith?
Their presence on Fox only serves to legitimize the network for some, and Shepard was another person on the network singing praises for Roger Aisles when he passed away.
No celebrating half-stepping.

 

[PandaPandaPanda]

Damn, more foxxers are gonna start defecting away from defending Trump. There's only so much you can spin before you realize history will remember you for defending a traitor.

if i'm not mistaken as I don't watch Fox news at all, Shepard Smith has been calling out this administration's bullshit from the start or sometime shortly after

so no, not really

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

Damn, more foxxers are gonna start defecting away from defending Trump. There's only so much you can spin before you realize history will remember you for defending a traitor.

The reasonable ones most likely already have.

What you have left are the ones that don't care if trump is traitor or what have you.

The only goal is to stick to liberals/minorities/lgbtq+ etc.

 

[Slayven]

Why do people here attempt to give credit to Chris Wallace or Shep Smith?
Their presence on Fox only serves to legitimize the network for some, and Shepard was another person on the network singing praised for Roger Aisles when he passed away.
No celebrating half-stepping.

This, they still signed on with Fox

 

[therealist]

Why do people here attempt to give credit to Chris Wallace or Shep Smith?
Their presence on Fox only serves to legitimize the network for some, and Shepard was another person on the network singing praises for Roger Aisles when he passed away.
No celebrating half-stepping.

Who are the people that feel as though Shep Smith or Chris Wallace legitimizes Fox News. The people who think Fox News are legitimate probably dislike Smith and Wallace.

 

[LogicAirForce]

I grew up watching fox news since thats what my dad always watched, and Shep was the only person I liked on there. He is too good for that dumpster fire.

Also, did he really say "nothingburger"? lol

 

[lazygecko]

I keep wondering when Fox News will have its Russia Today moment where an anchor just snaps and resigns on the air.

 

[nocturnalis]

I grew up watching fox news since thats what my dad always watched, and Shep was the only person I liked on there. He is too good for that dumpster fire.

Also, did he really say "nothingburger"? lol

It has entered political terminology now.

 

[Bounceounce]

Who are the people that feel as though Shep Smith or Chris Wallace legitimizes Fox News. The people who think Fox News are legitimate probably dislike Smith and Wallace.

Their purpose is to be the token not quite-"liberal" people who call out the right occasionally and justify the "Fair and Balanced" slogan (I'm not sure if that's the slogan anymore though).
They're culpable.
But people love this YouTube videos of Wallace shoving it to "The Five" or Smith having an emotional/reasonable reaction to some conflict.

 

[Lonewulfeus]

Shep smith is the gay version of an Uncle Tom.

 

[freeofgreed]

At first i was like Stephen A Smith is on fox? I knew he was suspect but damn

Lmao this was my exact same thought.

 

[therealist]

Their purpose is to be the token not quite-"liberal" people who call out the right occasionally and justify the "Fair and Balanced" slogan (I'm not sure if that's the slogan anymore though).
They're culpable.
But people love this YouTube videos of Wallace shoving it to "The Five" or Smith having an emotional/reasonable reaction to some conflict.

Except people who think Fox news is legitimate also think Breitbart is legitimate. Shepard Smith is not the actual reason they think the network is legitimate. They might tell you that as an easy excuse but removing him does nothing.

 

[norm9]

So the Fox viewers didn't really boycott Shep the last time they called him a traitor and said they were going to stop watching?

 

[kirblar]

So the Fox viewers didn't really boycott Shep the last time they called him a traitor and said they were going to stop watching?

Shep and Wallace get massive paydays because they're the only two people with credibility on the network. Fox can't afford to lose them.

 

[Fury451]

Shep and Wallace having conversations is the only relevant thing about Fox. They're too good for that hole.

 

[erlim]

Damn, more foxxers are gonna start defecting away from defending Trump. There's only so much you can spin before you realize history will remember you for defending a traitor.

What you are saying is sensible, Trump apologists are not. They will brazenly stand on the wrong side of history with no pause.

 

[Dynasty]

Their purpose is to be the token not quite-"liberal" people who call out the right occasionally and justify the "Fair and Balanced" slogan (I'm not sure if that's the slogan anymore though).
They're culpable.
But people love this YouTube videos of Wallace shoving it to "The Five" or Smith having an emotional/reasonable reaction to some conflict.

I like them, I guess it is nice knowing that there is a voice of are reason in the dump that is Fox News. They have a unique oppertunity to reach millions of right leaning families and if they can make just 1 or 2 viewers, just question there beliefs, then they have a purpose being there.

I do agree probably the main reason they still have a job there is so Fox can point out to them and claim being fair and neutral.

 

[BatDan]

I saw a 2 minute clip on Twitter earlier.

He's like the one decent thing on that propaganda outlet. It's amazing they haven't fired him.

I'm guessing liability reasons.
"Fox News is a house of lies and slander"
"No it's not! We have Shepard Smith, he's credible!"

 

[RMI]

I don't think the hardcore Trump core support cares about stuff like this. Nothing Trump does will change their mind. He could shoot up a kindergarten and they would still find a way to dismiss it away because MAGA.

I don't really get you guys complaining about Shep. Consider the alternative which is another Hannity.

 

[truestatic]

Shep and Wallace get massive paydays because they're the only two people with credibility on the network. Fox can't afford to lose them.

What exactly does 'credibility' get them? Like, if their viewers don't care about the accuracy of their reporting, who does? Is Shep a gateway drug to conservatism?

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

What exactly does 'credibility' get them? Like, if their viewers don't care about the accuracy of their reporting, who does? Is Shep a gateway drug to conservatism?

He exists so Fox can continue to feign "balance". The guy who sometimes disagrees with the rest so Fox and their viewers can pretend the network isn't built specifically to be GOP propaganda when people point out that... the whole network is built to be GOP propaganda. "But what about Shep!? Checkmate!" And then the rest of the time he can be the "bad guy" on the network that makes everyone else look better to the deranged far right.

Same reason they had Colmes.

 

[kirblar]

What exactly does 'credibility' get them? Like, if their viewers don't care about the accuracy of their reporting, who does? Is Shep a gateway drug to conservatism?

The entire rest of their "news" team is opinion people.

 

[Ouroboros]

Shep is one of a handful of sane fox people.

 

[Captin Quacker]

So the Fox viewers didn't really boycott Shep the last time they called him a traitor and said they were going to stop watching?

just like that time they were gonna boycott starbucks

 

[Widdle Puppy]

I'm tired of the idiot conservative spin on donald's failures.

Wasn't there some poll recently that basically said that trump voters basically know he is lying and bullshitting but just don't care, they hate minorities too much and wanna go along with it?

Fucking hell at least admit you're the racist bad guys.

 

[therealist]

Shep does more good than bad being on Fox News. The network needs more sane and rational journalists, not less.