The right-wing apparently thinks it has found a new Benghazi in a Wall Street Journal report that the U.S. paid Iran $400 million in cash at the same time that four U.S. prisoners were released in January. Naturally, that means knees are jerking all over Fox News.
As Media Matters noted, Donald Trump called it a scandal and Fox News and Rush Limbaugh fell in line right behind him. But Media Matters also pointed out that the $400 million payment had been announced in January, was a settlement of a long-standing claim Iran had against the U.S. and was less than the country had sought.
But facts didn’t stop Fox host Trish Regan, from egging on “I want war with Iran” John Bolton to go on a Trump-friendly tirade.
Regan asked, “Do you see it as ransom?”
“Of course it was,” Bolton said. “This deal, together with the nuclear deal, was all part of the same package, and the White House spokesman all but admitted it in the passage you just broadcast, saying they made a strategic decision to try and wrap everything up together and they did.”
That's hardly proof of a quid pro quo or that the money was only paid because of the prisoners but Regan didn't seem to think that worth mentioning.
Instead, Regan asked, “How does $400 million go missing, effectively?” She added, incriminatingly, “If you were a business and suddenly $400 million went missing, there would be a whole lot of questions asked. I don’t know how something like this gets done, Ambassador, in secret.”
Both she and Bolton seemed to forget that Fox reporter James Rosen had just explained that the U.S. had frozen the money after the hostages were seized in the 1970s. In other words, it was money the U.S. was holding.
Bolton nevertheless called the payment an “embarrassment” and an “act of appeasement.”
Regan finally got around to pointing out that the Obama administration said the money was owed to Iran, but she framed it as opinion. Apparently, Regan didn't think she owed the viewers any obligation to ferret out truth. Maybe she was afraid of finding out the Obama administration was telling the truth.
Yet, when Bolton responded by saying, “That is nonsense!” Regan chuckled appreciatively.
Still absolving herself of any responsibility as an arbiter of truth, Regan played a clip of White House spokesman Josh Earnest reiterating the point that the money was owed to Iran. But she sat silently as Bolton sneered, “He’s a fool.”
Bolton went on to say that the claim was old and “There was no rush to resolve it.”
But in fact, there was a reason to resolve the claim, as The Wall Street Journal reported, via Media Matters:
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have said they were certain Washington was going to lose the arbitration in The Hague, where Iran was seeking more than $10 billion, and described the settlement as a bargain for taxpayers.
Somehow Bolton missed that point. She did think to add on to Bolton’s attack, however. She closed the segment by saying that “the danger” is that “this puts Americans in jeopardy going forward because if a government like Iran knows that we’re willing to pay up to the tune of $400 million, then it’s putting everyone at risk.”
Not surprisingly, she didn’t offer a single fact or piece of evidence to back up that claim.
Watch Regan put her thumb on the scale of this discussion below, from the August 3 Your World.
“Trump may have petty issues that come from not being a polished politician he at least really seems to care about America.”
LOL! Yeah Ric, SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE HE DOES.
And I’m Pope Francis I.
Try to answer this question by utilizing your CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS (that is, if you have any): if “Der Furor” Trump REALLY does care about America, how come his GOP (Grossly Over Priced) MERCHANDISE like his ties, his “Make America Great Again” caps & T-shirts and Jackets bear this label:
“MADE IN CHINA”
Furthermore Ric, you ARE aware that “Der Furor” Trump himself has said the following several times, aren’t you?
“Our wages are too high”
Trump may have petty issues that come from not being a polished politician he at least really seems to care about America. He isn’t in this for the money. Be careful what you wish for people. I promise you it won’t be all roses and lollipops is Hillary wins. I want a safe America with borders and laws a country where people come in legally because they WANT to be a American. Do your own research people . Mexico has added extra personnel to try and stop illegal immigration from Gutemela and Hondueras (sic). If you want higher taxes and big goverment Hillary is your guy.
PT Barnum was talking about you people.
Oh thank Heaven Fox News uncovered the secret deal of Obama sending $400 million in cash to Iran. #Cashzazi!
But wait… the Obama administration announced the delivery of money to Iran on January 17th as part of a decades-long settlement grinding through the Hague.
Snopes has already debunked this ransom conspiracy nonsense. If that’s the best the Fox propaganda machine can pump out in their endless smear campaign against Democrats their time is better spent kissing 💋 Trump’s ass. Or does The Donald have too many hickeys there already?
Now go watch imaginary Iran videos with you buddy Trump to compliment your imaginary conspiracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpIQ0N-j7bg
Cuz Br’er Rabbit done got himself all mixed up with the tar baby ( the Donald attacked the gold star family of the Khans). And Br’er Rabbit can’t get himself loose.
So Faux is gonna have to kiss this fake scandal goodbye. And while they are at it they can kiss Uncle Remus’s ass too.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-top-secret-iran-video-campaign/story?id=41121713