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Sen. Schmitt’s Basketball-Game Questioning of Jack Smith Unravels Over Team Mix-Up

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 17 outlets, mostly left-leaning (65%).

61 articles in total, 11 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

During a Sept. 30 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) questioned former special counsel Jack Smith about attending a basketball game on Feb. 3, 2024, suggesting Smith was in Atlanta watching the Hawks at the same time Fulton County DA Fani Willis disclosed her relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, implying possible coordination against Donald Trump. Smith said he had instead attended a women’s college basketball game between Iowa and Maryland in College Park, Maryland, to see Caitlin Clark, prompting confusion between the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes names. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) later criticized Schmitt publicly and on CNN. Video later surfaced that appeared to show Smith at the Maryland game, which a spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost. Some reports said GOP committee staff had warned the underlying texts were unverified.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Schmitt questioned Smith about attending a basketball game in Atlanta on Feb. 3, 2024, suggesting a link to Fani Willis’s disclosure of her relationship with Nathan Wade.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. Smith said he had instead attended an Iowa Hawkeyes–Maryland women’s basketball game in College Park, Maryland, featuring Caitlin Clark.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  3. The exchange involved confusion between the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes mascot.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  4. Sen. Amy Klobuchar publicly criticized Schmitt during the hearing and again afterward on CNN.

    Reported byLeft

  5. Video footage surfaced appearing to show Smith at the Iowa-Maryland game, which a spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost.

    Reported byLeft

Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points

  1. Republican committee staff reportedly warned Schmitt that the text messages underlying his questioning were unvetted.

    Reported byLeft

  2. Sen. Katie Britt’s reaction during the exchange went viral online.

    Reported byRight

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Whether Schmitt knowingly relied on unverified information when accusing Smith.

    The New Republic (left), citing MS NOW, reports that GOP staff warned Schmitt the texts were “unvetted” before he used them; other outlets in the sample do not address this claim or offer a Republican response.

  • Whether Smith’s initial answer amounted to perjury.

    Schmitt suggested during the hearing that Smith may have lied under oath about his whereabouts; Smith and Democratic senators, including Klobuchar, dispute this characterization, attributing the confusion to a mix-up over team names rather than dishonesty.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    11 outlets · 3 opinion

    Left-leaning outlets frame the episode as a humiliating failure for Schmitt, emphasizing his embarrassment, Klobuchar’s rebuke, and evidence undercutting his accusation.

    Eric Schmitt’s a Joke. The Assaults on Jack Smith Are Anything But.
    The New RepublicFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    3 outlets

    Center outlets describe the mix-up in largely descriptive terms, focusing on what happened and how the confusion unfolded, including a pundit’s mocking reaction.

    Smith’s game-day texts reviewed by Schmitt never referenced basketball team names
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    3 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right-leaning headlines mostly describe the mix-up neutrally like the center, though the New York Post highlights a colleague’s viral reaction and The Dispatch’s opinion piece criticizes Schmitt’s handling of the moment.

    Texts cited by Eric Schmitt at Jack Smith hearing lacked team names: Report
    Washington ExaminerRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left65

    conspiracy theoryHumiliated HimselfMAGA SenatorHumiliated

  • Center4

    debunkedblastedripserrantly accused

  • Right3

    perjury trapairballthe suspect

In the outlets’ own words

  • Delegitimizing label

    conspiracy theoryMore neutral: describe the claim and the evidence against it

    Ends the discussion by labeling; state the claim.

    Eric Schmitt thought he was nailing the special counsel on a conspiracy theory — but he mixed up his basketball teams

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)The Independent (Left)Salon (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Humiliated HimselfMore neutral: was mistaken

    Passes judgement on Schmitt’s conduct rather than describing the factual error

    MAGA Senator Humiliated Himself With Botched Gotcha Moment

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)Rolling Stone (Far Left)The New Republic (Far Left)

  • Partisan shorthand

    MAGA SenatorMore neutral: Republican Senator

    Labels Schmitt with a partisan tag rather than his title, coloring the reader’s view before the facts are given

    MAGA Senator Humiliated After Attempt to Corner Jack Smith Backfires Comically

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)The Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    HumiliatedMore neutral: Confronted with an error

    Passes judgement on the outcome rather than describing what happened

    MAGA Senator Humiliated After Attempt to Corner Jack Smith Backfires Comically

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)The Daily Beast (Far Left)

Show 68 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Delegitimizing label

    MAGA MediaMore neutral: name the outlet

    Dismisses reporting by presumed politics rather than by evidence.

    MAGA Media Is Trying to Spin Senator’s Brutal Gaffe Into a Win

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)Salon (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    nailingMore neutral: questioning

    Frames Schmitt’s intent in a dramatic, judgmental way rather than describing his questioning neutrally

    Eric Schmitt thought he was nailing the special counsel on a conspiracy theory — but he mixed up his basketball teams

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Backfires ComicallyMore neutral: backfires

    Adds dramatic, mocking flourish beyond a neutral description of the mix-up

    MAGA Senator Humiliated After Attempt to Corner Jack Smith Backfires Comically

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    humiliating exchangeMore neutral: tense exchange

    Characterizes the exchange with a judgmental label instead of a neutral description

    The humiliating exchange began when Schmitt repeatedly pressed Smith about whether he had traveled to…

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Blows Up in His FaceMore neutral: falls apart

    Dramatizes the outcome of the questioning rather than describing it neutrally

    GOP Senator’s Jack Smith ‘Gotcha’ Blows Up in His Face

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Absolutist framing

    absolutely no dirt onMore neutral: no clear evidence against

    Presents a contested, opinionated claim about Republicans’ evidence as settled fact

    In case you needed any evidence that Republicans have absolutely no dirt on former special counsel Jack Smith, look no further.

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Trap Jack SmithMore neutral: question Jack Smith

    Frames Schmitt’s questioning as a deliberate scheme rather than neutrally describing his line of inquiry

    GOP Senator Tries to Trap Jack Smith—and Gets Every Detail Wrong

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Absolutist framing

    Gets Every Detail WrongMore neutral: mixes up key details

    States a sweeping, definitive judgement rather than describing the specific factual error

    GOP Senator Tries to Trap Jack Smith—and Gets Every Detail Wrong

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    eruptsMore neutral: reacts angrily

    Adds dramatic characterization to Schmitt’s reaction beyond a neutral description

    Senator Eric Schmitt erupts after his attempt to pin the special counsel at a basketball game in Atlanta backfires

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    fumblesMore neutral: misidentifies details in

    Casts Schmitt’s questioning in a mocking, judgmental way rather than describing the factual error

    Republican fumbles Jack Smith conspiracy theory and calls Trump prosecutor ‘dirtbag’ in testy hearing

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    cringeworthy exchangeMore neutral: tense exchange

    Adds a subjective, dramatic characterization instead of a neutral description of the exchange

    The cringeworthy exchange came when the Missouri Republican started asking Smith about attending a…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    BotchedMore neutral: mistaken

    Adds a negative judgement to the description of the moment rather than stating the fact neutrally

    MAGA Senator Humiliated Himself With Botched Gotcha Moment

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Supposed vice-presidential contenderMore neutral: a potential vice-presidential contender

    The word ‘supposed’ casts doubt on Schmitt's political standing in a dismissive way.

    Supposed vice-presidential contender Sen.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Delegitimizing label

    partisan hackMore neutral: commentator or official

    Insult in place of a critique.

    …have tried and tried to portray former special counsel Jack Smith as a partisan hack in his prosecution of President Donald Trump, and on Tuesday, during a…

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Embarrassing MistakeMore neutral: Mistake

    Passes judgement on Schmitt's conduct rather than neutrally describing the error.

    Republican Senator Makes Embarrassing Mistake While Accusing Jack Smith Of Crimes

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    MAGA firebrandMore neutral: Republican senator

    A partisan characterization of Schmitt that pre-judges him rather than describing his role.

    The right is running cover for him MAGA firebrand came after during a dramatic Senate hearing on Tuesday, attempting to catch the…

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Brutal GaffeMore neutral: Gaffe

    Exaggerates the severity of the error for dramatic effect.

    MAGA Media Is Trying to Spin Senator’s Brutal Gaffe Into a Win

    Used byRolling Stone (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    lash outMore neutral: criticize

    Characterizes the senators' questioning as an emotional outburst rather than describing the substance.

    GOP senators lash out on Smith, who led criminal cases against Trump, with invective and inaccurate…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    glowingMore neutral: favorable

    Presents the Axios report’s tone as a judgment rather than describing its content neutrally.

    A glowing 2028 scoop dropped just before Schmitt’s disastrous “gotcha,” while right-wing…

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    disastrousMore neutral: unsuccessful

    Characterizes the outcome of Schmitt’s questioning with a judgmental adjective.

    A glowing 2028 scoop dropped just before Schmitt’s disastrous “gotcha,” while right-wing influencers appeared ready to celebrate.

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Mercilessly MockedMore neutral: widely criticized

    Frames the reaction to Schmitt as uniformly derisive rather than describing specific criticism.

    Eric Schmitt Gets Mercilessly Mocked Over ‘Planted’ Story After Jack Smith Faceplant

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    FaceplantMore neutral: error

    Characterizes Smith’s situation with a mocking metaphor rather than neutral description.

    Eric Schmitt Gets Mercilessly Mocked Over ‘Planted’ Story After Jack Smith Faceplant

    Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    insinuatedMore neutral: suggested

    Suggests Schmitt was being indirect or dishonest rather than neutrally describing his claim.

    Schmitt insinuated that Smith was in the area when Fani Willis, the Fulton county district attorney,…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Sensational language

    heated attackMore neutral: questioning

    Characterizes the questioning with an intensifying descriptor rather than neutral terms like ‘questioning’.

    Republican senator appears to mix up basketball teams during heated attack – video

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Sensational language

    watching in horrorMore neutral: reacting visibly

    Adds dramatic emotional characterization to Britt’s reaction beyond what is verifiable.

    Katie Britt has been recorded watching in horror as her Republican colleague humiliated himself on the Senate floor in a botched…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    humiliated himselfMore neutral: made an error during questioning

    Presents a judgment about Schmitt’s performance as settled fact.

    Katie Britt has been recorded watching in horror as her Republican colleague humiliated himself on the Senate floor in a botched attempt at a gotcha moment on a top Trump foe.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    botched attempt at a gotcha momentMore neutral: attempt to challenge Smith’s testimony

    Characterizes Schmitt’s strategy and its failure with judgmental language.

    …as her Republican colleague humiliated himself on the Senate floor in a botched attempt at a gotcha moment on a top Trump foe.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Self-CombustMore neutral: make an error

    Uses a dramatic metaphor to characterize Schmitt’s error rather than describing it neutrally.

    MAGA Senator Caught on Camera Watching Colleague Self-Combust

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    His slam dunk was a brick.More neutral: His attempt did not succeed.

    Uses a mocking sports metaphor to characterize Schmitt’s failed attempt rather than stating it neutrally.

    His slam dunk was a brick.

    Used byNBC News (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    airballsMore neutral: misstates

    Uses a sports metaphor to mock the failure of Schmitt’s questioning rather than describe it neutrally.

    GOP senator airballs perjury claim against Jack Smith over apparent Hawks/Hawkeyes mixup

    Used byNBC News (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    humiliated by his own doingMore neutral: embarrassed by a mistake he made

    Passes judgement on Schmitt’s character rather than describing events neutrally

    Eric Schmitt came onto the national political scene, he was humiliated by his own doing.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    made a fool of himselfMore neutral: made an error during questioning

    Editorializes about Schmitt rather than stating facts

    Later that same day, he was name-dropped; he effectively made a fool of himself during a high-profile Senate hearing.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Backfires Almost ImmediatelyMore neutral: Faces Criticism After Hearing Mix-Up

    Dramatizes the event with judgmental framing rather than describing what happened

    Vance Veep Buzz Backfires Almost Immediately

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    concocted the perfect gotcha momentMore neutral: prepared a line of questioning

    Suggests deliberate fabrication rather than describing the questioning neutrally

    Eric Schmitt, who seemed to think on Tuesday that he had concocted the perfect gotcha moment against Smith.

    Used bySlate (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Mortifying Attempt to Trap Jack Smith in PerjuryMore neutral: Attempt to Question Jack Smith on Perjury

    Characterizes Schmitt’s questioning with a judgmental adjective rather than neutral description

    This Mortifying Attempt to Trap Jack Smith in Perjury Was Like Something Out of The Office

    Used bySlate (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    implosionMore neutral: error

    Dramatizes the event beyond what the facts establish.

    Eric Schmitt’s implosion that became the story of the day in Washington was ignored entirely during his…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    embarrassed himselfMore neutral: made an error during questioning

    Passes judgement on the senator's performance rather than stating facts.

    Schmitt, of Missouri, joined the show after he embarrassed himself by desperately trying, and failing, to get former Special Counsel Jack Smith,…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    desperately tryingMore neutral: attempting

    Implies desperation and motive not established by fact.

    Schmitt, of Missouri, joined the show after he embarrassed himself by desperately trying, and failing, to get former Special Counsel Jack Smith, 57, to perjure himself…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Partisan shorthand

    MAGA HostMore neutral: Conservative talk show host

    Uses a politically loaded label to characterize the host rather than a neutral descriptor.

    MAGA Host Offers Wild Spin of Senator’s Dumb Gaffe

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Wild SpinMore neutral: response

    Characterizes the host's commentary as irrational or dishonest rather than describing it neutrally.

    MAGA Host Offers Wild Spin of Senator’s Dumb Gaffe

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Dumb GaffeMore neutral: mistake

    Passes judgement on the senator's intelligence rather than describing the error neutrally.

    MAGA Host Offers Wild Spin of Senator’s Dumb Gaffe

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    stumbled in his questioningMore neutral: made an error in his questioning

    Implies clumsiness rather than neutrally describing the factual error

    …circulated on social media after her colleague, Senator Eric Schmitt, stumbled in his questioning of former special counsel Jack Smith.

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    going up in flamesMore neutral: falling apart

    Dramatizes the unraveling of the exchange beyond a neutral description

    …zoom on Katie Britt says it all as she realizes Jack Smith gotcha moment is going up in flames

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Delegitimizing label

    perjury trapMore neutral: perjury accusation

    Frames Schmitt's line of questioning as inherently illegitimate rather than describing it neutrally.

    Eric Schmitt defends perjury trap airball at Jack Smith hearing: ‘Not a mistake’

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Sensational language

    airballMore neutral: failed attempt

    A mocking sports metaphor that amplifies the sense of failure beyond neutral description.

    Eric Schmitt defends perjury trap airball at Jack Smith hearing: ‘Not a mistake’

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    ripped intoMore neutral: criticized

    Dramatizes Klobuchar's criticism as a harsh attack rather than neutral comment.

    Amy Klobuchar has ripped into MAGA Sen.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    botched interrogationMore neutral: line of questioning

    Characterizes the questioning as a failure rather than describing it neutrally.

    Eric Schmitt over his botched interrogation of Jack Smith, telling her Republican colleague not to make accusations he…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Piles onMore neutral: Responds to

    Suggests an aggressive, pile-on style attack rather than neutral criticism.

    Klobuchar Piles on Humiliated MAGA Senator After Major Gaffe

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Major GaffeMore neutral: mistake

    Amplifies the significance of the mistake beyond a neutral description.

    Klobuchar Piles on Humiliated MAGA Senator After Major Gaffe

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Partisan shorthand

    Par for the course for Republicans trying to disparage SmithMore neutral: During questioning aimed at challenging Smith’s credibility

    Frames Republicans’ motives in a generalized, judgmental way rather than describing the specific action

    Par for the course for Republicans trying to disparage Smith, Schmitt asked the former special counsel, “Did you go to…

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Absolutist framing

    debunkedMore neutral: disputed

    Presents the matter as fully and conclusively settled rather than describing the dispute.

    Schmitt faces fallout after debunked Jack Smith narrative

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Delegitimizing label

    deep-stateMore neutral: career officials or the civil service

    Implies a coordinated conspiracy inside government without naming who or what.

    …senator’s gotcha attempt ended in utter humiliation when his definitive proof of deep-state collusion crumbled, earning him a public roast from Jimmy Kimmel—and a wild new…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    foolishMore neutral: mistaken

    Directly characterizes the senators negatively rather than stating facts.

    senators showed they were foolish hours apart.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    goofed big-timeMore neutral: made an inaccurate statement

    Informal, judgmental phrasing characterizing the senator's statement as foolish.

    Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) goofed big-time on Fox News while attacking former special counsel Jack Smith ― just as fellow…

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Cringe GOP ErrorMore neutral: Error

    Uses a subjective, mocking term rather than a neutral description of the mistake.

    Josh Hawley Commits Another Cringe GOP Error In Attacking Jack Smith

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    blastedMore neutral: criticized

    Adds dramatic intensity to a routine act of criticism.

    Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Tuesday blasted Sen.

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    ripsMore neutral: criticizes

    Adds dramatic intensity to a routine act of criticism.

    Raskin rips Schmitt questioning of Jack Smith: 'He's basically disgraced himself'

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Loaded modifier

    failed gotchaMore neutral: attempted line of questioning

    Characterizes the senator's motive and outcome in a judgmental way.

    The senator behind a failed gotcha moment aimed at former Special Counsel Jack Smith dug in his heels when confronted…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    gotcha blunderMore neutral: questioning that went awry

    Frames the senator's questioning as both manipulative and incompetent in one phrase.

    Senator behind viral Jack Smith gotcha blunder doubles down when confronted over error

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    fumbleMore neutral: mix-up

    Sports metaphor used to characterize the senator's performance as a mistake, carrying a judgmental tone.

    Schmitt accuses Jack Smith of perjury in basketball game fumble

    Used byCBS News (Left)

  • Sensational language

    viral embarrassmentMore neutral: widely shared moment

    Frames the event with dramatic judgment rather than neutral description.

    …a potential perjurious lie — only to see it all go off the rails and become a viral embarrassment.

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    gotchaMore neutral: line of questioning

    Dismisses Schmitt's questioning tactic as a cheap trick rather than describing it neutrally.

    Senator reveals the moment she knew viral Jack Smith gotcha was a slow-mo train wreck

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    slow-mo train wreckMore neutral: unraveled

    Dramatizes the unfolding events beyond a neutral description.

    Senator reveals the moment she knew viral Jack Smith gotcha was a slow-mo train wreck

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    the suspectMore neutral: Trump

    Labels Trump with a criminal-sounding term rather than describing his actual legal status at the time.

    …crimes if Americans hadn’t handed control of federal law enforcement over to the suspect.

    Used byThe Dispatch (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    sneaking to AtlantaMore neutral: traveling to Atlanta

    Implies covert, suspicious behavior rather than neutrally describing the accusation.

    Schmitt accused Jack Smith during a hearing Tuesday of sneaking to Atlanta to meet with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and prosecutor Nathan…

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    KnowinglyMore neutral: Reportedly

    Asserts intent and deception as established fact rather than attributed claim.

    GOP Senator Knowingly Used “Unvetted” Info to Try to Trap Jack Smith

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    TrapMore neutral: question

    Frames the questioning as a deliberate scheme rather than a neutral line of inquiry.

    GOP Senator Knowingly Used “Unvetted” Info to Try to Trap Jack Smith

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    errantly accusedMore neutral: mistakenly accused

    Characterizes Schmitt’s claim with a judgmental adverb rather than neutral phrasing.

    Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) errantly accused the prosecutor of attending a game in Atlanta in an effort to tie him to a…

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

Words quoted from someone else (9)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Dehumanizing label

    Quoted

    ‘dirtbag’More neutral: an insult

    Repeats a personal insult in the headline; though attributed to Schmitt, it frames the story around the slur

    Republican fumbles Jack Smith conspiracy theory and calls Trump prosecutor ‘dirtbag’ in testy hearing

    Quoted byThe Independent (Left)CBS News (Left)The Hill (Center)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    conspiracy theoryMore neutral: describe the claim and the evidence against it

    Ends the discussion by labeling; state the claim.

    …former special counsel of perjury and labeled him a “total dirtbag,” invoked a conspiracy theory that Smith’s team conspired with state prosecutors in Georgia — and claimed that…

    Quoted byThe Independent (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Dehumanizing label

    Quoted

    ‘A total dirtbag’More neutral: an insult directed at Smith

    Leads with a personal insult, even though attributed to Schmitt, framing the story around the slur

    ‘A total dirtbag’: GOP senator mistakenly accuses Smith of perjury over NBA game

    Quoted byNBC News (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    What a disasterMore neutral: a mistake

    Quoted commentary uses dramatic, exaggerated language to characterize the moment

    What a disaster," Todd wrote in a social media post on Tuesday after the...

    Quoted byThe Hill (Center)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

Show 5 more quoted phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    You make me want to throw upMore neutral: a critical remark from the hearing

    An inflammatory quoted remark used prominently in the headline, though attributed to a speaker.

    ‘You make me want to throw up’: Republicans attack ex-special counsel Jack Smith at Senate hearing

    Quoted byThe Guardian (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    brutal reactionMore neutral: sharp reaction

    Amplifies the tone of a quoted social media reaction with an intensifying adjective.

    …story today lmaoooo https://t.co/4AqVDUkg7f That was X user Conor Rogers’ brutal reaction to a remarkably timed Axios “scoop” touting Sen.

    Quoted byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    The moment Katie Britt's soul left her bodyMore neutral: a viral reaction

    A hyperbolic quoted phrase used to dramatize the reaction.

    “The moment Katie Britt's soul left her body," one user wrote of the senator's stunned expression.

    Quoted byNew York Post (Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    look of utter horrorMore neutral: a surprised expression

    An exaggerated characterization of a reaction, though drawn from social media commentary.

    Katie Britt’s ‘look of utter horror’ as GOP colleague’s perjury accusation unravels during Jack Smith hearing goes…

    Quoted byNew York Post (Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    disgracedMore neutral: former or who resigned after

    Verdict as adjective; say what happened.

    Raskin rips Schmitt questioning of Jack Smith: 'He's basically disgraced himself'

    Quoted byThe Hill (Center)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

11 outlets · 3 opinion

Leads with

  • Schmitt's blunder and perceived humiliation
  • Klobuchar's criticism of Schmitt
  • Video evidence supporting Smith's account
  • Reports that the underlying texts were unvetted

Leaves out

  • Katie Britt's viral reaction to the exchange

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 14 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

3 outlets

Leads with

  • Factual description of the team-name mix-up
  • Context of Schmitt's perjury suggestion
  • Reactions from commentators like Chuck Todd

Leaves out

  • Video evidence confirming Smith's location
  • Reports that GOP staff warned the texts were unvetted

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 3 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

3 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • Details of the basketball team confusion
  • Katie Britt's viral facial reaction
  • Self-critical commentary on Schmitt's unforced error

Leaves out

  • Video evidence confirming Smith's whereabouts
  • Reports that GOP staff warned the texts were unvetted

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    Rolling Stone, Sep 29, 11:45 AM EDT

  • Center

    11 min later

    Its first report, Sep 29, 11:56 AM EDT

  • Right

    11 min later

    Its first report, Sep 29, 11:56 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. Rolling StoneFar LeftSep 29, 11:45 AM EDT
  2. The HillCenterSep 29, 11:56 AM EDT
  3. Washington ExaminerRightSep 29, 11:56 AM EDT
  4. MeidasTouchFar LeftSep 29, 12:24 PM EDT
  5. The IndependentLeftSep 29, 12:33 PM EDT
  6. The Daily BeastFar LeftSep 29, 12:37 PM EDT
  7. NBC NewsLeftSep 29, 1:15 PM EDT
  8. CBS NewsLeftSep 29, 1:23 PM EDT
  9. HuffPostFar LeftSep 29, 1:31 PM EDT
  10. PBS NewsHourCenterSep 29, 2:03 PM EDT
  11. The GuardianLeftSep 29, 3:11 PM EDT
  12. The Washington TimesRightSep 29, 7:20 PM EDT
  13. New York PostRightSep 29, 9:07 PM EDT
  14. Straight Arrow NewsCenterSep 30, 7:22 AM EDT
  15. SalonFar LeftOct 1, 1:05 PM EDT
  16. The NationFar LeftOct 2, 10:55 AM EDT
  17. The New RepublicFar LeftOct 2, 1:44 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

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