If part of being "fair & balanced" involves fact checking, Fox fact checkers aren't all that concerned about Fox fact. During one of their patented kiss ups to Donald Trump, the curvy couch sitters on Fox & Friends not only didn't rebut Trump's lie - but reinforced it with a big, fat visual.
One of Donald Trump's recent delusions is the claim that he is reaching out to the African-American community. (Or, in his parlance, "the blacks.") But, by also advocating for the resumption of ineffective and unconstitutional stop-and-frisk programs, he's further alienating himself from the African-American community that he, personally, wants to rescue!
Last week, after the first night of Charlotte protests, Trump used his free Fox & Friends media platform to promote his stop-and-frisk policy. In yet another glaring Trumpian contraction, he called for racial unity after yet another black man was shot by police. He advocated for more "law and order" - a phrase sure to win over African-Americans.
As video was shown of unruly black protesters, the banner reinforced the right wing/Fox News/Trump message that America is a violent hellscape overrun by crazed, black thugs: Officers Under Seige: "NC Protesters Rage After Cops Shoot Armed Man." (Note - witnesses say that the shooting victim was unarmed) Thus, the stage was set for Trump's promotion of stop-and-frisk.
In praising his BFF, former NY mayor Rudy Giuliani for doing "a great job as mayor" (Right, ask Abner Louima and the family of Amadou Diallo), Trump cited the awesomeness of stop-and-frisk Ignoring the court decision, Trump only said that the program was "stopped." As he spoke, the banner proclaimed Fox Fact: "Gotham City Gone Wild, Crime Rose After NYC Abandoned Stop and Frisk." Trump continued to blow the dog whistle about the danger of inner city communities.
Here's the thing - the claim that crime rose, after the cessation of stop-and-frisk is a LIE. According to the BrennanCenter, a legal think tank with more credibility than Fox News or Donald Trump, "ending stop and frisk did not increase crime." Unlike Trump and Fox & Friends, they have data to prove it. Since the end of stop-and-frisk, crime has significantly decreased in NY City. MSNBC's Chris Hayes provides data, from the NY City police, which shows a decrease in violent crimes between 2014-2016. Even fellow Murdoch outlet, The Wall Street Journal, cites a downward trend in NY City crime.
But we need stop-and-frisk because crime increased after the program stopped. That's what Donald Trump and Fox News say, so it must be true, right?!
If Der Furor become president and packs the Supreme Court he will be able to make good on his promise to reintroduce targeting dark skinned people with stop and frisk. It’ll all be constitutional again.