The bombshell reveal by BuzzFeed that Michael Cohen was directed by President Donald Trump to lie to Congress has a big problem — and it was CNN of all places that uncovered it.
Turns out the reporters that broke the story have seen absolutely zero evidence of their claims — and one of them has even been accused of making up sources in the past.
Cohen himself hasn’t admitted to their accusations publicly.
Instead, the report is totally relying on anonymous sources… again.
Critics say the move is similar to last year, when BuzzFeed defied all journalistic standards and released the unverified Steele dossier against Trump.
In short order, that document was found to be filled with lies, hyperbole, and misinformation. So is their latest Cohen’s story telling the truth?
Not even BuzzFeed’s own reporters know.
When asked on CNN’s “New Day” on Thursday night about evidence, reporter Anthony Cormier admitted he’d seen none.
“No, I’ve not seen [evidence] personally,” Cormier told host Alisyn Camerota.
But he said “the folks we have talked to — two [anonymous sources] we have spoken to are fully, 100 percent read into that aspect of the Special Counsel [Robert Mueller’s] investigation.”
But that’s not all. The reputation of Cormier’s co-author, Jason Leopold, is also under fire.
Leopold has reportedly used fake sources in the past. In recent years, the Columbia Journalism Review has been highly critical of his previous “bombshell” stories.
“He was in trouble for perhaps claiming to have sources he really didn’t have,” CNN’s Camerota noted on Leopold’s past. “His stories didn’t wash. Executive directors and editors have had to apologize after some of his big blockbuster stories. How can you be certain today?”
“It’s 100 percent,” Cormier replied. “I am the individual who confirmed and verified that it I am telling you our sourcing goes beyond the two I was able to put on the record. We were able to gather information from individuals who know this happened. ”
If the allegations printed by BuzzFeed against Trump are true, it could be used by the president’s critics as proof that Trump did intentionally obstruct justice. That would mean big problems for the White House.
So it’s no wonder the report has the mainstream media practically giddy with joy. It’s exactly what they want to believe.
It has liberals ready to dance on Trump’s grave and has Democratic lawmakers yelling, “Impeachment!”
But is it the truth?
Quite simply put: No one knows… not even the reporters who broke the story.
The allegations are, and remain, completely unproven. The White House has flatly dismissed the report as more liberal “fake news.”
In fact, even CNN is asking questions.
— The Horn editorial team