CNN, MSNBC Downplay Jussie Smollett conviction, use verdict to bash conservatives
CNN and MSNBC have continued to treat
Jussie Smollett with
kid gloves despite him being found guilty Thursday on five of the six charges against him stemming from the hate crime hoax he orchestrated in 2019.
As Smollett’s story crumbled, he emerged as a prominent symbol of how liberal media organizations often run with their preferred narrative before facts are known. Liberals peddled the false narrative that Smollett was attacked by two MAGA hat-wearing Trump supporters at 2 a.m. during the polar vortex in Chicago. Everyone from Democratic politicians to left-wing cable news pundits were quick to believe Smollett’s unlikely tale, which has now been officially debunked in court.
Despite the guilty verdict, CNN and MSNBC both downplayed the case or managed to place blame on conservatives.
Plastered on CNN's website was the softened headline, "Jussie Smollett guilty on some charges." Many mocked the inclusion of the word "some," but the liberal network wasn’t finished with its bizarre coverage of the verdict.
CNN pundit Brian Stelter’s media newsletter "Reliable Sources," oddly led with criticism of conservative media for pointing out that many liberal news organizations fell for Smollett’s hoax. Instead of scolding reporters and analysts who bought Smollett’s story in the first place, CNN’s media industry newsletter frowned upon the organizations who did hold the liberal media accountable.
Over at MSNBC, Smollett's conviction was completely ignored by "ReidOut" host Joy Reid, "All In" host Chris Hayes, "The Rachel Maddow Show" host Rachel Maddow," "The Last Word" host Lawrence O'Donnell as well as "11th Hour" anchor Brian Williams. Even CNN’s far-left host Don Lemon managed to cover the story on-air, but his MSNBC contemporaries didn’t bother.
CNN, MSNBC downplay Jussie Smollett conviction, use verdict to bash conservatives