Right-wing media figures -- particularly the hosts of Fox & Friends -- defended President Donald Trump after revelations that he asked former FBI Director James Comey to end the investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Conservative figures attacked Comey, even suggesting he broke the law, cast doubt on the accuracy of Comey’s memo quoting Trump, and parsed Trump’s words to suggest that he did not request an end to the investigation.
Here Are The Excuses Right-Wing Media Are Using To Defend Trump Asking Comey To Drop Investigation Into Flynn
Published
Trump Asked FBI Director To End Investigation Into National Security Adviser Flynn
NY Times: “President Trump Asked The F.B.I. Director, James B. Comey, To Shut Down The Federal Investigation Into” Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. [The New York Times, 5/16/17]
Here’s How Right-Wing Media Defended Trump
1. Suggest It Was Comey Who Broke The Law, He “Would Have Been Obligated By Law To Immediately Report It, But He Didn’t.”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
2. Parse Trump’s Words And Ask If “There’s A Big Difference Between ‘I Hope’ And ‘I Order,’ Isn’t There?”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
- Breitbart: Trump Saying He Hoped Comey “Can Let This Go" Was “Never Actually Framed As A Request At All.”
[Breitbart, 5/16/17]
3. Question Why Comey “Never Mentioned Before He Felt As Though The President Was Pressuring Him To Drop The Flynn Investigation.”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
4. Accuse The Mainstream Media Of Selling A “Distraction … To Put A Stop On Every Single Thing This President Is Doing.”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
5. Question Authenticity, Accuracy Of Memo: “The Question Is, If You Write It Down, Does It Mean It's True? Does It Mean It’s Absolutely Accurate? We Could Sit Here And Have Totally Different Impressions Of An Interview We Both Did Who Was Recorded.”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
- Earhardt: “If You Meet With Him In The Oval Office, Then You Walk Away And You Start Jotting Down Notes, It’s Going To Be A Summary Of What You Think He Said, Right?”
[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 5/17/17]
6. Attack Comey’s Integrity: He Is A “Man Who May Not Be Always Acting Honorably” And “Wanted To Hold Onto His Job.”
[Fox News, Special Report with Bret Baier, 5/16/17]
- Drudge Report: “Comey Revenge Commences. Leaks Turn To Flood.”
[Drudge Report, 5/16/17]
7. Say Reports Lack “Any Apparent ‘Quid Pro Quo.’”
[Breitbart, 5/16/17]
8. Accuse Trump’s Administration Of Being “Turncoats” Who Are “Going Rogue And Pushing For The Impeachment Of President Trump.”
[Infowars, 5/16/17]