Politics Trump conspired with Fox News to create the retracted Seth Rich story

[SlyPokerDog]

The Fox News Channel and a wealthy supporter of President Trump worked in concert under the watchful eye of the White House to concoct a story about the death of a young Democratic National Committee aide, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The explosive claim is part of the lawsuit filed against Fox News by Rod Wheeler, a longtime paid commentator for the news network. The suit was obtained exclusively by NPR.

Wheeler alleges Fox News and the Trump supporter intended to deflect public attention from growing concern about the administration's ties to the Russian government. His suit charges that a Fox News reporter created quotations out of thin air and attributed them to him to propel her story.

Fox's president of news, Jay Wallace, told NPR on Monday there was no "concrete evidence" that Wheeler was misquoted by the reporter, Malia Zimmerman. The news executive did not address a question about the story's allegedly partisan origins. Fox News declined to allow Zimmerman to comment for this story.

The story, which first aired in May, was retracted by Fox News a week later. Fox News has, to date, taken no action in response to what it said was a failure to adhere to the network's standards.

The lawsuit focuses particular attention on the role of the Trump supporter, Ed Butowsky, in weaving the story. He is a wealthy Dallas investor and unpaid Fox commentator on financial matters who has emerged as a reliable Republican surrogate in recent years. Butowsky offered to pay for Wheeler to investigate the death of the DNC aide, Seth Rich, on behalf of his grieving parents in Omaha, Neb.

On April 20, a month before the story ran, Butowsky and Wheeler — the investor and the investigator — met at the White House with then-press secretary Sean Spicer to brief him on what they were uncovering.

The first page of the lawsuit quotes a voicemail and text from Butowsky boasting that President Trump himself had reviewed drafts of the Fox News story just before it went to air and was published.

Spicer now tells NPR that he took the meeting as a favor to Butowsky, a reliable Republican voice. Spicer says he was unaware of any contact involving the president. Butowsky now tells NPR that he was kidding about Trump's involvement.

"Rod Wheeler unfortunately was used as a pawn by Ed Butowsky, Fox News and the Trump administration to try and steer away the attention that was being given about the Russian hacking of the DNC e-mails," said Douglas Wigdor, Wheeler's lawyer.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The back story

On May 16, the Fox News Channel broke what it called a bombshell story about an unsolved murder case: the fatal July 2016 shooting of 27-year-old Democratic Party staffer Seth Rich.

Unfounded conspiracy theories involving Rich abounded in the months after his death, in part because WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cryptically suggested that his death may have been related to the leaks of tens of thousands of emails from Democratic Party officials and their allies at the peak of the presidential campaign.

Fox News' story, which took flight online and ran in segments across major shows, breathed fresh life into the rumors. Fox reported that the leaks came from inside the party and not from hackers linked to Russia — despite the conclusions of the nation's most senior intelligence officials. The network suggested that Democrats might have been connected to Rich's death and that a cover-up had thwarted the official investigation.

The network cited an unnamed FBI official. And the report relied heavily on Wheeler, a former police detective, hired months earlier on behalf of the Riches by Butowsky.

These developments took place during growing public concerns over a federal investigation into the Trump camp's possible collusion with the Russian government during the campaign. The allegations have since touched the president's son and son-in-law, his former campaign manager, his attorney general and his first national security adviser, who resigned as a result.

The question of Rich's death took on greater urgency for Butowsky after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey in early May. Comey had been overseeing the Russia investigation. The story ran just a week later.

Fox's report went sideways shortly after it was posted online and aired on Fox & Friends. It was denounced by the Rich family, D.C. police, Democratic Party officials and even, privately, by some journalists within the network. Within hours, Wheeler told other news outlets that Fox News had put words in his mouth.

Despite those concerns, Wheeler appeared on the shows of Fox Business host Lou Dobbs and Fox News star Sean Hannity, who devoted significant time to the story that night and in subsequent days. In speaking with Wheeler, Hannity said: "If this is true and Seth Rich gave WikiLeaks the DNC e-mails ... this blows the whole Russia collusion narrative completely out of the water."

A week later, on May 23, Fox retracted the story, saying the reporting process failed to live up to its standards. Hannity said he would take a break from talking about Rich's murder out of respect for the family. And there it has largely stood — until now.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The fake news story

In the lawsuit, the private investigator sets out a different version of events. Wheeler was a paid Fox News contributor since 2005. He alleges the story was orchestrated behind the scenes and from the outset by Butowsky, the Dallas wealth management consultant and also Fox News commentator, who hired him for the Rich family.

The following account reflects the verbatim quotes provided from the texts, emails, voicemails, and recorded conversations cited in Wheeler's lawsuit, except as otherwise noted.

According to the lawsuit, Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer met at the White House with Wheeler and Butowsky to review the Rich story a month before Fox News ran the piece.

On May 14, about 36 hours before Fox News' story appeared, Butowsky left a voicemail for Wheeler, saying, "We have the full, uh, attention of the White House on this. And tomorrow, let's close this deal, whatever we've got to do."

Butowsky also texted Wheeler: "Not to add any more pressure but the president just read the article. He wants the article out immediately. It's now all up to you."

Spicer admits to meeting with the two but denies claims about the president.

"Ed's been a longtime supporter of the president and asked to meet to catch up," Spicer told NPR on Monday night.

"I didn't know who Rod Wheeler was. Once we got into my office, [Butowsky] said, 'I'm sure you recognize Rod Wheeler from Fox News.' "

Spicer said Butowsky laid out what they had found about the case. "It had nothing to do with advancing the president's domestic agenda — and there was no agenda," Spicer says now. "They were just informing me of the [Fox] story."

 

[Sedatedfork]

Real News about Fake News? Or Fake News about Fake News? Or Real News about Real News? Or Fake News about Real News?

 

[Natebishop3]

You know what has been really eye opening about all this?

The President can basically do whatever he wants and nobody does anything. People grumble and scream on facebook and talk about impeaching him...... but nothing happens. Congress does a lot of talking. That's it.

I have no idea why everyone thinks a scandal is such a big deal for politicians because it doesn't seem to do a damn thing to Trump.

 

[MarAzul]

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

You know what has been really eye opening about all this?

The President can basically do whatever he wants and nobody does anything. People grumble and scream on facebook and talk about impeaching him...... but nothing happens. Congress does a lot of talking. That's it.

I have no idea why everyone thinks a scandal is such a big deal for politicians because it doesn't seem to do a damn thing to Trump.

Are you surprised because nowadays any time something gets social media attention that person gets fired?

If Chris Christie worked at Sams Club and he somehow became famous for being the giant douche that he is they'd fire him instantly.

These politicians are pretty much set unless something blatantly illegal happens AND the people tasked with enforcing it take action.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Seth Rich was murdered by the DNC or their conspirators.

 

[MarAzul]

I would not expect Trump's people to use MSNBC for any help.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

And this is a claim. Anyone can make a claim.

SlyPokerDog is an agent of Deep Soy.

see how easy that was?

 

[Cippy91]

Yeah this is for sure bullshit, people were onto this story right when it happened because it just so happens people surrounding the clintons tend to die in very ironic times and in ways that don't make sense

 

[riverman]

I would not expect Trump's people to use MSNBC for any help.

If he hired capable cabinet members to begin with, they wouldn't need help would they?

 

[Denny Crane]

If he hired capable cabinet members to begin with, they wouldn't need help would they?

Tillerson rocks. Much better than I expected.

Mattis is as good a Secy of Defense as everyone expected.

Mnuchin is doing just fine at Treasury.

Wilbur Ross is doing great at Commerce.

I can name some surprisingly good cabinet members as well. Rick Perry and Ben Carson.

But that doesn't fit the narrative.

 

[riverman]

Tillerson rocks. Much better than I expected.

Mattis is as good a Secy of Defense as everyone expected.

Mnuchin is doing just fine at Treasury.

Wilbur Ross is doing great at Commerce.

I can name some surprisingly good cabinet members as well. Rick Perry and Ben Carson.

But that doesn't fit the narrative.

Trump's already got your vote.....just say it

 

[Denny Crane]

Trump's already got your vote.....just say it

I'll definitely be voting Libertarian. Maybe the people will wise up after watching these sleazebags and knuckleheads in action at the same time.

At least I'm willing to say that he does some thing right when he does (as I did with Obama).

 

[barfo]

At least I'm willing to say that he does some thing right when he does (as I did with Obama).

Other things you are willing to do:

downplay or deny anything he does wrong.
trumpet any polls that seem even marginally positive for him, ignore the ones that aren't.
accuse his detractors of being liars, hypocrites, whiners, etc.
pretend that you don't do any of those things.

barfo

 

[crandc]

You know what has been really eye opening about all this?

The President can basically do whatever he wants and nobody does anything. People grumble and scream on facebook and talk about impeaching him...... but nothing happens. Congress does a lot of talking. That's it.

I have no idea why everyone thinks a scandal is such a big deal for politicians because it doesn't seem to do a damn thing to Trump.

when you're a star you can do anything, grab them by the pussy, obstruct justice, it's OK

 

[Blazer Freak]

I'll definitely be voting Libertarian. Maybe the people will wise up after watching these sleazebags and knuckleheads in action at the same time.

At least I'm willing to say that he does some thing right when he does (as I did with Obama).

I can at least respect Denny on this point. I think he is a way over-protective of Trump at times, but sometimes I think it's just my absolute disappointment in the people who fell for Trump's bullshit from the beginning of this whole process that grinds my gears. I don't like HRC, but I said from the beginning, I would have rather has 4-8 years of the status quo then have taken a chance on someone as volatile as Trump. I get that people thought he could shake things up, but I thought it was clear to see the bullshit lies he told everyone on the campaign trail. He was never going to live up to a single word he said. Here we are 6 months in and all he can tout is improving economic numbers that were already trending that way before he got elected. Sure, I think having Donald in there has led to a bump in the market do to him being "pro-business" but I would love to see any policy he has gotten passed that has helped to improve a growing future market...not an industry of the past (coal).

MarAzul though...is just someone I can't respect given his outlook towards people and politics. I don't care which way people lean or how they vote, that's someone's personal choice. But I think a lot of the times people's views on politics can highlight things about themselves they otherwise wouldn't show. I understand Obamacare hasn't worked out for everyone, but it's a step in the right direction (universal healthcare). If government ACTUALLY did it's job and worked together, its the basis of something that could become a viable system for all US citizens. Maybe I haven't seen every post of MarAzul's that he posts in the OT forum but from what I gather he got fucked by Obamacare and now everyone else can go fuck themselves. Hopefully everything works out for you man but a little compassion for other people never hurt.

 

[Denny Crane]

Other things you are willing to do:

downplay or deny anything he does wrong.
trumpet any polls that seem even marginally positive for him, ignore the ones that aren't.
accuse his detractors of being liars, hypocrites, whiners, etc.
pretend that you don't do any of those things.

barfo

When he does something wrong, I won't be downplaying it.

It's rather the opposite of making something out of nothing. It's not like him or his people bleach bit erased emails that were of interest to ongoing investigations, smashed mobile devices with hammers, etc.

I've posted every poll that RCP posts.

How many polls do you see here?



"One"
--barfo

I accuse liars and hypocrites of being liars and hypocrites. Realize you have to know you're saying something wrong for it to be a lie.

I think you're the pretender.

 

[barfo]

When he does something wrong, I won't be downplaying it.

You'll be denying it instead. Ok, got it.

It's rather the opposite of making something out of nothing. It's not like him or his people bleach bit erased emails that were of interest to ongoing investigations, smashed mobile devices with hammers, etc.

You are right, I forgot one:

Deflecting everything by saying "But Hillary's emails!"

I've posted every poll that RCP posts.

But whenever the trend is momentarily good, you post the trendline with big red arrows added. For some reason you didn't do that today?

barfo

 

[Denny Crane]

You'll be denying it instead. Ok, got it.



You are right, I forgot one:

Deflecting everything by saying "But Hillary's emails!"



But whenever the trend is momentarily good, you post the trendline with big red arrows added. For some reason you didn't do that today?

barfo

Hahaha, barfo.

Denying _what_?

Do tell.

There's nothing there, so nothing to deny or affirm, either way.

I think it is you that is denial, when you don't see actual criminal activity where it is and do see it where it isn't. Of course I'll point that out to you.

I posted ALL the polls with the trend lines and big red arrows showing that people were expecting much worse as Clinton's CLEAR (LOL) victory was within reach.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

I can at least respect Denny on this point. I think he is a way over-protective of Trump at times, but sometimes I think it's just my absolute disappointment in the people who fell for Trump's bullshit from the beginning of this whole process that grinds my gears. I don't like HRC, but I said from the beginning, I would have rather has 4-8 years of the status quo then have taken a chance on someone as volatile as Trump. I get that people thought he could shake things up, but I thought it was clear to see the bullshit lies he told everyone on the campaign trail. He was never going to live up to a single word he said. Here we are 6 months in and all he can tout is improving economic numbers that were already trending that way before he got elected. Sure, I think having Donald in there has led to a bump in the market do to him being "pro-business" but I would love to see any policy he has gotten passed that has helped to improve a growing future market...not an industry of the past (coal).

MarAzul though...is just someone I can't respect given his outlook towards people and politics. I don't care which way people lean or how they vote, that's someone's personal choice. But I think a lot of the times people's views on politics can highlight things about themselves they otherwise wouldn't show. I understand Obamacare hasn't worked out for everyone, but it's a step in the right direction (universal healthcare). If government ACTUALLY did it's job and worked together, its the basis of something that could become a viable system for all US citizens. Maybe I haven't seen every post of MarAzul's that he posts in the OT forum but from what I gather he got fucked by Obamacare and now everyone else can go fuck themselves. Hopefully everything works out for you man but a little compassion for other people never hurt.

Pretty good post until the lame attack on MarAzul. Obamacare is to universal healthcare as sticking your wee wee between the couch cushions or in the end of the vacuum cleaner is to losing your virginity.

The Republicans are a mess and McCain really fucked some of them. You don't think McCain could have told Heller to vote no too?

It is still better than 4 years of Hillary. We don't need any more Supreme Court Justices that want to reinterpret the Constitution.

That and immigration make her a non choice for me. I'll take the liar on the side of issues I prefer over the liar on the other side any day.

 

[Blazer Freak]

Pretty good post until the lame attack on MarAzul. Obamacare is to universal healthcare as sticking your wee wee between the couch cushions or in the end of the vacuum cleaner is to losing your virginity.

The Republicans are a mess and McCain really fucked some of them. You don't think McCain could have told Heller to vote no too?

It is still better than 4 years of Hillary. We don't need any more Supreme Court Justices that want to reinterpret the Constitution.

That and immigration make her a non choice for me. I'll take the liar on the side of issues I prefer over the liar on the other side any day.

And that is a totally understandable position I can respect. Gorsuch wasn't a horrible choice, but what scares me is Donald potentially being able to replace multiple SC justices during his term(s). I've never said Obamacare is great, but I do think it is a START. It had to begin somewhere, not it is just up the elected officials to work together to make it work.

I don't think it's an attack on MarAzul. I respect him as a Blazer fan but the posts I have seen throughout the OT forum of his reflect poorly on his outlook on most people. I don't post everyday, but I'm always checking the forums. Maybe I've missed out on the joke/trolling he has done?

 

[barfo]

The Republicans are a mess and McCain really fucked some of them. You don't think McCain could have told Heller to vote no too?

Pretty sure McCain voting no allowed Heller (and a few others) to vote yes. Heller's more afraid of Trump fans than he is of Obamacare fans.

barfo

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Pretty sure McCain voting no allowed Heller (and a few others) to vote yes. Heller's more afraid of Trump fans than he is of Obamacare fans.

barfo

Heller will lose because of that vote. If he knew and he voted yes anyway he better not be surprised. I can't turn on the local news without seeing an attack ad over this situation. I'm sure more are coming.

 

[barfo]

Heller will lose because of that vote. If he knew and he voted yes anyway he better not be surprised. I can't turn on the local news without seeing an attack ad over this situation. I'm sure more are coming.

I think he was in a lose-lose situation. If he votes no, he loses in the primary. If he votes yes, he loses in the general.

It's not an accident that exactly 3 GOP senators voted no, and the three are all 'safe' from attacks by the right.

barfo

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

And that is a totally understandable position I can respect. Gorsuch wasn't a horrible choice, but what scares me is Donald potentially being able to replace multiple SC justices during his term(s). I've never said Obamacare is great, but I do think it is a START. It had to begin somewhere, not it is just up the elected officials to work together to make it work.

I don't think it's an attack on MarAzul. I respect him as a Blazer fan but the posts I have seen throughout the OT forum of his reflect poorly on his outlook on most people. I don't post everyday, but I'm always checking the forums. Maybe I've missed out on the joke/trolling he has done?

No, doesn't troll. He's always honest about what he believes and I respect that a hell of a lot more than those who put someone who is their polar opposite on ignore.

Ignoring people in a political forum is some weenie shit.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

I think he was in a lose-lose situation. If he votes no, he loses in the primary. If he votes yes, he loses in the general.

It's not an accident that exactly 3 GOP senators voted no, and the three are all 'safe' from attacks by the right.

barfo

Maybe. I guess he's got a chance this way.

 

[Cippy91]

And that is a totally understandable position I can respect. Gorsuch wasn't a horrible choice, but what scares me is Donald potentially being able to replace multiple SC justices during his term(s). I've never said Obamacare is great, but I do think it is a START. It had to begin somewhere, not it is just up the elected officials to work together to make it work.

I don't think it's an attack on MarAzul. I respect him as a Blazer fan but the posts I have seen throughout the OT forum of his reflect poorly on his outlook on most people. I don't post everyday, but I'm always checking the forums. Maybe I've missed out on the joke/trolling he has done?

well at least he isn't being obnoxious to people out of no where like a lot of the dems on here. Don't think he is trolling. I don't give a shit for either side but I noticed the conservatives on here aren't shit posting a million different threads every day about hillary or dems in general and the dems on here get really fucking entitled and weird about shit

 

[Cippy91]

I lost my respect for SlyPokerDog. People respect him on here but to me you are a little bitch. Why people even like that dude, beats me.