Media Criticizes Tucker Carlson and Claim Jan 6 Videos are Lying
Tucker Carlson released excerpts of the January 6th video feed that has been restricted from the public for over two years and was met with a unified criticism of Fox News and Tucker Carlson being “Whitewashers” attempting to “downplay” the events of that day, however, the video doesn’t lie and the media clearly has.
On March 4th, Carlson aired a 30 minute segment alleging that the media, government, and the January 6th committee have “cherry-picked” video excerpts that implicitly depict an event whose participants were excessively violent without exception. He evidenced these allegations with video clips that appear to show periods of time where protesters were not violent and things appear calm.
Granted, Tucker Carlson is no different than Don Lemon or Racheal Maddow and just a talking head offering biased opinions, however in this case, this is not about what he said. It’s about what he showed.
Politicians, both Democrats and Republicans. and the mainstream media including CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, the Associate Press (AP), and many others were quick to slam Fox News and Tucker Carlson for airing newly released video of the events of January 6th.
They insinuate that the video is in some way lying to the American public and outright lie to support allegations that Tucker Carlson is trying to “downplay” the events of January 6th.
Carlson […] used the footage in an attempt to downplay the violence and defend the pro-Trump mob — CNN
However, Carlson did no such thing. While he did jokingly say some of the protesters were synonymous with sightseers and called the event “mostly peaceful chaos” (which makes zero sense), he fully acknowledged the violence of that day, calling the violent individuals “hoodlums”, and even aired video of the violence.
His perspective was that there were calm periods and that not all protesters were violent which contradicts the message that has played out in the media.
The clips were extracted from previously undisclosed video that Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) granted Carlson exclusive access to. Video that many of the early defendants arrested and charged for participating in the event were not allowed access to. (more recent cases have been allowed access to most, but not all of it).
Carlson pointed out a few questionable things which appear to indicate a witness lied to congress, the media misrepresented the events, and ultimately recommended “you watch the footage and you decide”.
Mostly Peaceful or Mostly Violent?
Republicans tend to downplay the violence of January 6th by claiming the BLM protestors were far more violent and caused more damage as if two wrongs actually make a right.
They claim that outside of a few minor incidents, the event was mostly orderly and a peaceful protest, ironically taking the same position Democrats used to defend the BML riots.
Yes, Republicans took the exact same position of a “mostly peaceful protest” that they criticized and condemned continuously for months prior to January 6th.
The “right-washed” version of January 6th, 2021 is, with few exceptions, all rainbows and sunshine.
In contrast, the Democrats mostly depict the events of January 6th as a horrific, violent, and deadly attack on the country and democracy equivalent to the Devil rising from the depths of hell to unleash devastation on the Capitol.
They claim the “angry violent mob of Trump-supporters” came just inches away from overthrowing the United States of America and ending all life as we know it on planet Earth.
Yes, what enemies worldwide with fully equipped militaries have attempted for over 200 years and failed, the left claims a handful of aging, misguided idiots with long beards and zip-ties almost accomplished in a couple hours.
The “left-painted” version of January 6th is a catastrophic darkness of death and destruction led by a militant organization that almost destroyed the country.
Both versions are equally as ridiculous as they sound, albeit the latter being the most prominent and frequently shoveled narrative over the past two years.
The Excessively Violent Narrative
The media and the January 6th committee have repeatedly and exclusively aired selective segments of video which were excessively violent for over two years now, contributing to the continued narrative of a violent mob of Trump-supporters and all of them contributed to the violence.
The newly release video view appears to contradict this narrative. Which is not to say there was no violence, there was and that is undisputable, but that some people conducted themselves civilly and were in fact peaceful.
It shows protesters walking in single file, honoring the rope barriers, conversing with Capitol Police, praying in groups, and behaving respectably, quietly, and calmly. This is a stark contrast to what video evidence has been released previously which only shows the most violent content.
Regardless of what opinions Tucker Carlson, CNN, or anyone else has about the events of that day, the video evidence does not lie. It is crystal clear that while many protesters were involved in violent acts on that day, many others were not violent.
This is also not to say they did nothing wrong, they violated the law by entering the building, regardless of method of entry, and they will face the consequences, but violence and trespassing and are two very different things. To date, the media has implicitly told the public that every individual who entered the building participated in the former.
Lying to Allege Lying
The media’s unified response is abnormal of what would be expected in discovering new information. They didn’t ask to see the video. They didn’t report on the video contents, comment on them, or even present an argument in contrast to Carlson’s. Rather, they immediately allege Tucker Carlson is lying and fabricated claims of things he didn’t say to support their allegations of him lying.
AP called the airing an attempt to amplify falsehoods about the events in one published article¹ the day after the broadcast.
the GOP’s attempt to amplify falsehoods about the attack — AP
However, there were no falsehoods repeated by Carlson, rather AP falsely misstates what Carlson actually said and then exaggerates the actual facts of the event. He merely questioned the veracity of statements made to congress by witnesses and comments made by the January 6th committee which the video seems to contradict.
Carlson is reviving the falsehoods launched by Trump and his allies, including Republicans in Congress, that the attackers were peaceful protesters and acted like tourists, despite the well-documented carnage of the day and the deaths of five people in the riot and its aftermath. — AP
That is false. Absolutely false.
AP is basically lying to allege Carlson is lying by exaggerating the facts. What he referred to was the majority of those present on January 6th and clearly and specifically said the words “the majority of”.
Moreover, he is not wrong according to the math.
The Basic Mathematics
There was only 1 individual killed that day. Ashley Babbitt, who was shot by police. There was 1 person that overdosed on drugs (amphetamines) and 3 others who died of natural causes. There is absolutely zero evidence that the events of that day caused or contributed to, directly or indirectly, those deaths with exception of Babbitt.
Of the 294 arrests for violent activities², noting that the definition of “violent” can be merely talking too loud, there were 11 charges of assault on individuals or employees and there were 99 charges of assault with a deadly weapon (cones, hockey sticks, flagpoles, etc.) or causing injury.
The remainder were for impeding or Obstructing an Officer or Violent Entry³ under other variations of “violence” such as vulgar language, being loud, or merely entering and remaining on the floor of the House of Congress.
There were an estimated 2,250 (between 2,000 and 2,500) individuals who entered the Capital on January 6th, 2021. There were 110 individuals charged with actual violence, of those who entered the Capital. That is 4%. Even if all 294 individuals charges that contain “violent” in their legal descriptions are considered, that only equates to 12%.
Furthermore, if the estimated 120,000 protesters⁴ that were present on January 6th, 2021 is included in the math, that is only 0.2% charged with violent acts, 0.09% charged with “assault” type violent acts, and only 1.8% of the attendees, under a permit, even entered the building,
Tucker Carlson stated a mathematically evidenced fact, that the majority of the protesters on January 6th were not violent. In fact, the vast majority weren’t even involved at all having never entered the building.
YES. THERE WAS VIOLENCE. However, it was not the constant and consistent majority as it’s been portrayed by the media.
Lying to Allege Downplaying
Carlson also aired footage of the violence that took place that day, including hand-to-hand combat with police and property being damaged, contrary to what is being falsely reported. In fact, he started the segment with it.
Video that Carlson didn’t air shows police and rioters engaged in hours of violent combat. — NBC News
That is false. Absolutely false.
Not only did Carlson show the violence, he began the segment with the violence. It is notable in the very first few seconds of the video and impossible to miss. NBC’s claim is not just false, it’s demonstrably disingenuous.
Notably, AP is one of the few in the media who accurately stated that Carlson showed footage the violence that took place that day in addition to the new footage, however, other outlets such as NBC News⁵ falsely stated the opposite to align with their “downplaying” narrative.
The mainstream media in general maintain that most or all of the protesters on January 6th were violent.
Q’Anon Shaman
Several outlets such as CNN⁶ attempt to justify the “excessive sentence” imposed on Jacob Chansley, also known as the “QAnon Shaman,” by offering that he was one of the first to enter the building and reminding their readers and viewers that he pled guilty to the charge of obstructing an official proceeding.
The latter being the point Carlson and Chansley’s attorney make in a subsequent segment claiming the lack of that video ultimately led to the plea. Chansley’s attorney, Albert Watkins, said⁹ that he repeatedly requested the video evidence but it was withheld by the prosecution.
Chansley received a total sentence of 41 months in federal prison (3.41 years) and 36 months of supervision. This may sound excessive to some, but federal Judges must follow sentencing guidelines that are governed by the United States Sentencing Commission pursuant to federal law⁷ and these guidelines have ranges that federal judges are only allowed to depart from under certain atypical cases.
The media claims that there is no evidence that police were escorting Chansley around, engaged in conversation, and opening doors for him, but the video is very crystal clear and they do indeed appear to be doing exactly that.
At one point (See image below) there are as many as 9 or 10 police around him, opening doors for him, engaged in conversation, laughing, and not cautioning him of any violation of the law nor arresting him despite there being no other protesters around and him being half dressed, unarmed, and surrounded by police with guns and tactical gear.
In another video he’s having a conversation with police and another shows police opening doors for him and him leading a group prayer.
The media has made this seemingly disturbed individual the posterchild of the January 6th events so the sentence was no surprise given the abundance of derogatory media available to the prosecution, however, if he was not allowed this video evidence as reported, then he was deprived of due process which is a constitutional right.
… it is not clear whether the officers and Chansley are talking to each other. — CNN
That is false. Absolutely false.
In the same article, CNN claims ignorance to the fact that two officers and Chansley were having a conversation at one point which is painfully obvious from the video (See below). CNN is being explicitly disingenuous.
Jacob Chansley committed a crime and for that, he must face the consequences and nobody, other than his attorney, has disputed that. Neither did Carlson.
The issue here is the vastly different media and January 6th committee depiction of Chansley compared to what is revealed in the footage and that very well could have made a difference in his sentence and/or his plea and if true, could very well be a Brady violation.
Carlson used the new video to try to undermine the known facts surrounding Sicknick’s death, and to argue that January 6 was less violent and “deadly” than it has been portrayed. — CNN
That is false. Absolutely false.
Carlson made no such argument that January 6th was any less violent than it was, he merely stated that Sicknick appeared to be “in good health” after his purported attack. A day later Sicknick passed away due to “natural causes” (stroke), and his family is adamant that the January 6th events “contributed” to his death.
In the video, it is clearly at a period of time after the barrier breach period when Sicknick was “attacked” with pepper spray, which is a downgrade of initial reports he was hit on the head with a fire extinguisher. This is evidenced by the fact people are in the building, thus it has already been breached.
CNN then states mostly irrelevant opinion and discusses how his family is tired of people bringing it up.
Chuck Schumer Lies to Allege Lying
Chuck Schumer is not the only politician who had something to say, several Democrats and Republicans in addition to the media offered opinions on the matter, but none as disingenuous as those of Chuck Schumer.
“To say January 6 was not violent is a lie — a lie pure and simple […] I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prime time cable news anchor manipulate his viewers the way Mr. Carlson did last night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an anchor treat the American people and American democracy with such disdain and he’s going to come back tonight with another segment.”
Maybe he didn’t see this one either because Tucker Carlson didn’t say January 6th wasn’t violent. In fact, he aired footage of the violence and explicitly mentioned it.
Regardless, the notable part of Carlson’s broadcast had absolutely nothing to do with anything he said, it was what the video showed. Video that was previously hidden from the public and even restricted from attorneys for defendants. If the latter is true, that’s a violation of constitutional rights, it’s illegal and it’s a Brady violation¹⁰.
What is Going On?
The response to the new J6 footage may be the media’s most ferocious attempt at damage control to date. However, in this case, they’re trying to argue with recorded footage that people can see with their own eyes.
Every individual has a right to review the material and formulate their own opinion rather than be told by the media what their opinion should be.
Notably, the media has yet to even bring up the key issues. Why was this video not disclosed earlier? Why was it withheld from defendants? Why are they so blatantly lying about it? Do they really think people are so stupid that they are just going to accept what they say when contradictory evidence is readily available?
They seem to be oblivious to why people are concerned. US Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger made a “public announcement” that said Carlson “cherry-picked” video footage showing “calmer times” of the day in attempted criticism, but THAT IS THE ENTIRE POINT!
Nobody knew there were any calmer times or calm people that day because the only video footage that repeatedly aired for two years depicts constant violence. Everybody knows there was violence on January 6th,however, there were also orderly people that were not violent and this was undisclosed until now.
Given the foregoing, it’s no surprise why the media is on red alert and they can complain about Tucker Carlson’s opinions all they want to, but it doesn’t change the fact that the video footage shows what it does.
The January 6th Committee Didn’t Have Access Either?
Former House Jan 6 committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) quickly claimed ignorance¹¹ to the footage saying that he and other members of the January 6th Committee did not have access to all of the footage of that day’s events. As such, they did not analyze them.
Putting aside the fact that the victims of these crimes organized and participated in a committee to investigate it, which alone is unethical should not have been allowed for the same reason police who are even related to a victim of a crime is not allowed to participate in it’s investigation, the January 6th committee itself now claims to have not seen the actual video evidence of the crime? Seriously?
The entire purpose of the Jan 6th committee was supposedly to find out what happened on that day and how to prevent it in the future. To put that into perspective, they wrote a final “conclusive” report on the facts of the day, yet, had not seen a single second of the best available evidence? That makes absolutely zero sense. None.
They claim that the only video evidence they watched was the same video evidence that was aired on TV and that was produced by an ABC producer they hired, “[…] to present the case in six tight, thematic episodes that [would] unfold in prime time and during the day, running 90 to 150 minutes. The idea [was] to make them as compelling as the marathon Watergate hearings — some of which stretched for hours — but tailored for the streaming era and a media world fueled by viral moments”.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Questions and Concerns
The footage certainly raises many questions and concerns and this article outlines several lies told by the media and politicians, but everyone should review the material for themselves and see firsthand.
Within seconds of watching the Carlson segment¹⁴, the first media lie immediately reveals itself, which is the NBC News lie that claimed Carlson did not air any of the violent clips. Carlson actually starts the segment with the violent clips.
Anyone who entered the Capitol building deserves, at very least, a trespassing charge and those who committed acts of violence deserve the maximum penalty allowed by law, but any Brady violations need to be addressed immediately and contradictions to statements made by congress, the media, and the J6 committee need to be investigated.
The fact that the government had that footage all along but failed to show one second of it to anyone is simply insane and Brady violations are beyond excusable.
What is becoming apparent is that once again, the government has fabricated an illusion propagated through the mainstream media resulting in a false representation of the actual facts to elicit a prescribed opinion in support of a pre-determined narrative.
This is synonymous with the Wizard of Oz, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”.
Only this time, the camera was rolling and no amount of damage control is going to realign the contradictory elements of the evidence with the narrative the media and the government created and pushed.
Like I said, video doesn’t lie.
References:
- AP Article: https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-tucker-carlson-capitol-riot-mccarthy-adc245e22f50b076925eb72948062808
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/24-months-january-6-attack-capitol#:~:text=Approximately%2011%20individuals%20have%20been,restricted%20federal%20building%20or%20grounds.
- 40 U.S. Code § 5104 — Unlawful activities (Violent entry)
- https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-classified-documents-reveal-number-january-6-protestors-1661296
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/tucker-carlson-new-video-provided-speaker-mccarthy-falsely-depicts-jan-rcna73673
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/06/politics/tucker-carlson-january-6-footage/index.html
- 18 U.S. Code § 3553 — Imposition of a sentence
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/politics/tucker-carlson-january-6-court-cases-us-capitol/index.html
- https://www.foxnews.com/video/6322189491112
- Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
- https://www.dailywire.com/news/j6-committee-chair-claims-members-didnt-have-access-to-footage-shifts-blame-to-staffers-and-abc-producer
- Images 1, 3, 6, and 7 — Copyright © 2023 Stephyn Duffy.
- Images 2, 4, and 6 — Courtesy Fox News
- Tucker Carlson Segment — https://youtu.be/Opy7MLGAPBk