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Jack Smith’s ‘No Kings’ shirt at music festival draws White House rebuke

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 10 outlets, mostly right-leaning (70%).

19 articles in total, 4 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Former special counsel Jack Smith was photographed and filmed wearing a black “No Kings” T-shirt from Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour while attending the “Power to the People” festival in Columbia, Maryland, which featured Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters and other musicians. White House communications director Steven Cheung responded on X, calling Smith a “scumbag” and “partisan attack rat for Democrats” who “weaponized the justice system” against President Trump. The sighting came days after Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigations into Trump, including the collection of communications belonging to Republican lawmakers. Smith previously led the federal election-interference and classified-documents cases against Trump.

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. Jack Smith was photographed wearing a “No Kings” T-shirt from Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour merch line at the Power to the People festival in Columbia, Maryland.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. White House communications director Steven Cheung called Smith a “scumbag” and a “partisan attack rat for Democrats” in an X post.

    Reported byLeftRight

  3. The festival featured performers including Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Tom Morello and Joan Baez.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  4. Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigations into Trump in the days before the festival.

    Reported byLeftRight

  5. RedState reported that newly declassified FBI records show Smith’s investigation swept up communications involving Republican lawmakers.

    Reported byRight

  6. The Hill’s report described Smith attending the festival without mentioning the White House’s response.

    Reported byCenter

What is contested

Where accounts differ

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

  • Whether Smith’s investigations were politically motivated or nonpartisan.

    Smith told the Senate Judiciary Committee, “I am not a politician and I have no partisan loyalty.” The White House and right-leaning outlets like RedState and the Daily Wire characterize him as a partisan actor who “weaponized the justice system” against Trump.

  • Whether Smith’s investigation improperly collected communications involving Republican lawmakers.

    RedState cites newly declassified FBI records as evidence of this; other outlets in the sample do not address the claim.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    2 outlets

    Left-leaning outlets frame the story around Smith’s T-shirt as a pointed statement and mock the White House’s angry reaction to it.

    White House Responds To Jack Smith’s ‘No Kings’ T-Shirt At Concert
    HuffPostFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    1 outlet

    The Hill’s single report describes Smith’s appearance at the festival in straightforward terms without editorializing or including the White House’s reaction.

    Jack Smith seen sporting 'No Kings' t-shirt at Power to the People festival
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    7 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right-leaning outlets lead with Smith’s “disgraced” status and the White House’s “scumbag” characterization, with some framing the festival itself as a left-wing political event and one outlet (RedState) escalating into broader claims about Smith’s investigative conduct.

    The Essex Files: Bruce Springsteen and the Nostalgia of Socialist Slogans
    RedStateFar RightAll 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.

  • Left5

    not-so-subtle statementMAGA antagonistfull-on meltdown modeTop Trump Goon

  • Center0

    No loaded words in its own voice.

  • Right15

    hardcore leftist groupsripsRails Againsthe had destroyed his own argument

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded modifier

    hardcore leftist groupsMore neutral: left-leaning advocacy groups

    Labels the nonprofits with an intensified partisan term rather than describing their stated purpose neutrally.

    Springsteen, other stars share stage with hardcore leftist groups at music fest

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    ripsMore neutral: criticizes

    ‘Rips’ frames Trump’s criticism as more dramatic than a neutral verb like ‘criticizes’ would.

    Trump rips Jack Smith for wearing ‘No Kings’ Springsteen shirt at ‘Power to the People Fest’

    Used byJust the News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Rails AgainstMore neutral: criticizes

    ‘Rails against’ characterizes Springsteen’s performance as an angry tirade rather than neutrally describing his criticism of ICE.

    Video: Headliner Bruce Springsteen Rails Against ICE at Anti-Trump Midterm ‘Power to the People’ Get Out the Vote Festival

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    not-so-subtle statementMore neutral: a pointed statement

    Characterizes Smith’s clothing choice with an editorial judgement about its intent rather than stating the fact neutrally.

    Former special counsel Jack Smith made a not-so-subtle statement with his choice of attire at a star-studded festival over the weekend.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Show 16 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    he had destroyed his own argumentMore neutral: he undercut his earlier testimony, critics say

    Dramatizes the author’s interpretation of events as a definitive outcome rather than a contested claim

    …the Senate Judiciary Committee he was impartial, and by Saturday, he had destroyed his own argument.

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Just Proved He Lied to CongressMore neutral: Faces renewed questions over Congress testimony

    States as settled fact a contested claim about Smith’s truthfulness that is actually the author’s interpretation

    Jack Smith Just Proved He Lied to Congress

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    MAGA antagonistMore neutral: former special counsel

    Labels Smith with a politically charged characterization rather than a neutral description of his role

    MAGA antagonist Jack Smith wore his heart on his sleeve during a pro-democracy music festival…

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    an insane 40More neutral: 40 charges

    Uses an exaggerated adjective to characterize the number of charges rather than stating it neutrally

    …Donald Trump — filing four felony counts in the election interference matter and an insane 40 in the claim that he mishandled classified documents.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    insaneMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    …Donald Trump — filing four felony counts in the election interference matter and an insane 40 in the claim that he mishandled classified documents.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    cut every ethical cornerMore neutral: was accused of ethical violations

    Asserts wrongdoing as fact rather than attributing it as an allegation

    …by subpoenaing their phone records without their knowledge as he cut every ethical corner to “get” Orange Man Bad.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Orange ManMore neutral: use the person's name

    Nickname insult.

    …their phone records without their knowledge as he cut every ethical corner to “get” Orange Man Bad.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    Debases Himself FurtherMore neutral: draws criticism

    Passes moral judgment on Smith’s actions rather than describing them neutrally

    Jack Smith Debases Himself Further, Wears Loaded Leftist Propaganda T-Shirt to Springsteen Concert

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Loaded Leftist Propaganda T-ShirtMore neutral: politically themed T-shirt

    Dismisses the shirt’s message as illegitimate propaganda rather than describing it neutrally

    Jack Smith Debases Himself Further, Wears Loaded Leftist Propaganda T-Shirt to Springsteen Concert

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blastedMore neutral: criticized

    Adds dramatic judgment to a routine statement rather than neutrally describing it.

    The White House blasted former special counsel Jack Smith as a “scumbag” after he showed up to a Maryland…

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    Disgraced Jack SmithMore neutral: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith

    Labels Smith as disgraced as a factual framing rather than attributing the characterization to someone, prejudging him before readers see the facts.

    Disgraced Jack Smith Spotted At Left-Wing Festival Wearing A Very On-Brand Shirt

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    looking like a washed-up BoomerMore neutral: wearing a Springsteen T-shirt

    A personal insult about appearance unrelated to the facts of the story, intended to demean the subject.

    …anti-Trump music festival in Maryland sporting a "No Kings" T-shirt and looking like a washed-up Boomer.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Just Got UglierMore neutral: New Details Emerge

    Dramatizes the development without specifying facts, manufacturing a sense of escalation.

    Jack Smith's Trump Dragnet Just Got Uglier: Wait Until You See Whose Phone His Team Was Tracking

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    full-on meltdown modeMore neutral: a harsh public statement

    Exaggerates the nature of Cheung’s response for dramatic effect rather than describing it factually.

    …item of clothing has sent Donald Trump’s director of communications into full-on meltdown mode at the White House.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Top Trump GoonMore neutral: White House communications director

    A demeaning label for a White House official used as a factual descriptor rather than an attributed characterization.

    Top Trump Goon Unravels Over Jack Smith’s T-Shirt

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    UnravelsMore neutral: responds

    Dramatizes Cheung’s reaction as an emotional breakdown rather than neutrally describing his statement.

    Top Trump Goon Unravels Over Jack Smith’s T-Shirt

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Words quoted from someone else (4)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

    Deranged Jack Smith is a Crooked Prosecutor!More neutral: Trump criticized Smith, calling him unfit to serve as prosecutor

    This is a direct quotation of Trump’s own characterization of Smith, attributed to him by name.

    "Deranged Jack Smith is a Crooked Prosecutor!" Trump wrote

    Quoted byJust the News (Far Right)

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

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    DerangedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    "Deranged Jack Smith is a Crooked Prosecutor!" Trump wrote on Truth Social alongside a Just the…

    Quoted byJust the News (Far Right)

    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.

    The left called that a conspiracy theory.

    Quoted byPJ Media (Far Right)

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

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    Deranged Jack Smith is a Crooked Prosecutor!More neutral: Trump criticized Smith’s conduct as prosecutor.

    A harsh personal attack quoted from Trump that dismisses Smith’s credibility without evidence.

    “Deranged Jack Smith is a Crooked Prosecutor!” Trump said in response.

    Quoted byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

    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

2 outlets

Leads with

  • Smith’s shirt as a deliberate statement
  • Cheung’s heated response to the shirt
  • Trump administration’s pattern of attacking critics

Leaves out

  • Details of RedState’s claims about phone surveillance of GOP lawmakers

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

See the 2 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

1 outlet

Leads with

  • Factual description of Smith’s attire and attendance
  • Lineup and nature of the festival

Leaves out

  • Steven Cheung’s “scumbag” comment
  • Smith’s recent Senate Judiciary Committee testimony

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

See the headline from the centerHide the headlines
  • The HillCenter

    Jack Smith seen sporting 'No Kings' t-shirt at Power to the People festival

    Jack Smith is apparently swapping the suit and tie he wears when testifying at the Capitol for a "No Kings" t-shirt. The former special counsel was eyed over the weekend sporting a tee from a Bruce Springsteen concert tour bearing the pointed message while attending a music …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)

From the right

7 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • Smith’s perceived partisanship despite claims of nonpartisanship
  • White House’s harsh characterization of Smith
  • Anti-Trump nature of the festival and its organizers

Leaves out

  • Details of Smith’s Senate testimony content beyond brief mention

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

See the 9 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

    22 hr 6 min later

    Its first report, Oct 4, 12:21 PM EDT

  • Center

    1 day 23 hr later

    Its first report, Oct 5, 1:18 PM EDT

  • Right

    First to report

    Fox News, Oct 3, 2:15 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. Fox NewsFar RightOct 3, 2:15 PM EDT
  2. The Washington TimesRightOct 4, 1:43 AM EDT
  3. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 4, 10:31 AM EDT
  4. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 4, 12:21 PM EDT
  5. HuffPostFar LeftOct 4, 5:59 PM EDT
  6. The Daily WireFar RightOct 5, 7:19 AM EDT
  7. New York PostRightOct 5, 10:10 AM EDT
  8. RedStateFar RightOct 5, 12:10 PM EDT
  9. The HillCenterOct 5, 1:18 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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