Got that last part? That’s the coded and not so subtle “this is all because Donald Trump is a racist and bigot” message, making it a catalyst for the Big Lie.

Observations:

• This wasn’t “believe all women,” it was “believe all black, gay celebrities with an anti-Trump agenda.” Never mind that the story sounded contrived; the news media simply assumed that it Smullett’s account was true, and quickly crossed the line between reporting and personal bias. Don Lemon—is there a worse and more unprofessional hack anywhere on TV, quickly made himself part of the news story (Pssst! Don! Ethical journalists aren’t supposed to do that!) From E! Online:

Lemon has remained singularly focused on Smollett’s well-being since the attack. “It’s been reported this happened or that happened, but my main concern is for him and for his well-being,” Lemon said. “… One, he has to deal with discrimination as a black man, then, on top of that, he has to be gay and he’s out. And then fame.”

“Fame is not natural. I don’t think people were meant to be famous,” he continued. “… When something happens and it’s controversial, everyone is coming for you. And so I knew everyone would be picking apart his story. It’s not for me. That’s not my concern. My concern is for him.”

That concern has led Lemon to check in on Smollett every day with text messages.

“So every day I say… ‘I know you think I’m annoying you, but I just want to know how you’re doing. And that you’re OK. And that if you need somebody you can talk to me because there’s not a lot of us out there,'” Lemon revealed. “Sometimes he responds, sometimes he doesn’t. He responded and said, ‘You are not annoying.'”

• This is an integrity check for…oh, why am I kidding myself? These people have no integrity. Will any of the Democratic officials and celebrities who decided to exploit the fake stort for political points apologize? Nah, but here’s a sampling:

Senator Kamala Harris: “This was an attempted modern day lynching,”

Senator Cory Booker: “The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching.” – @corybooker

Nancy Pelosi: “The racist, homophobic attack on Jussie Smullett is an affront to our humanity.”

Rep. Aleaxandria Ocasio-Cortez: “This attack was not ‘possibly’ homophobic. It was a racist and homophobic attack.” – @AOC

Senator Bernie Sanders: “The racist and homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is a horrific instance of the surging hostility toward minorities around the country.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “We are all responsible for condemning this behavior and every person who enables or normalizes it.” – @SenGillibrand

ThnkProgress: “Top Republicans, White House silent about attack on Jussie Smollett, despite ‘MAGA’ comments.”  (It is unclear whether Smollett orinigally told police that his attackers made Trump-slogan comments during their attack. Police initially said so, then Smollett, possibly deciding that this was laying it on a bit thick, denied it.)

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill): “Make no mistake: young people watch our nation’s leaders & learn from their example. Hateful words perpetuate these despicable actions, which is why we must stand up & speak out against intolerance every single day.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich):“When one of the most famous black and gay men in America is not safe, the message is clearer than it has ever been. The dangerous lies spewing from the right wing is killing & hurting our people.”

Actor Nico Tortorella: “…The red hat is the white hood. no ifs ands or buts. if you wear it, you attacked jussie. if you support them, you attack all of us. watch us rally.

Oscar-nominated Film Director and Writer Barry Jenkins:“Thinking of Jussie. Saddened. Heartbroken. Angry. ALL of it. Wouldn’t matter that he is the kindest soul. But he IS the kindest soul. And this is FUCKED. This is what all that hateful mongering has wrought. Are you PROUD???”

Actress Reese Witherspoon:“This is beyond upsetting. What happened to Jussie Smollette is a truly horrible racist, homophobic hate crime. I hope we can find an end to the hate and fear that plagues this country.” – 

There are many more, but maybe Reese’s is a good place to stop. Smollett and his ideological allies are the ones working to create fear, division and distrust, and yet somehow their projections on their targets are taken seriously. Of course, an uncritical news media devoted to their cause is very helpful.

• Meanwhile, Grabien news put together this infuriating montage of the mainstream media leaping to conclusions, essentially duplicating their knee-jerk acceptance of narrative-supporting false story in the Covington students embarrassment.

How many times will the news media be exposed and diminished by this kind of episode before they decide that they really have to reform and address their systemic biases?Has any Presidential administration seen half this many false stories prematurely trumpeted as significant by journalists?

• Now wait for the Sharpton Spin, echoing Reverend Al’s dodge when his Tawana Brawley media circus was exposed as a hoax. Al’s argument, repeated by activists, was that Tawana’s story, lie that it was, could have happened in racist America, so it was legitimate nonetheless.

Do let Ethics Alarms know when this first surfaces in an attempt to mitigate Smollett’s hoax.

• Many are already embracing the lament expressed by A/V News: “Meanwhile, faking an incident like this will only make it more difficult for victims of hate crimes to be believed when they really do occur, an injection of lethal doubt that could carry an uncountable human toll.”

The ethical response to this is “Good!” No accusation should be believed based on who the accuser is or the profound wishes of activists and the news media that it be true. The accused and the accuser have equal rights, and neither should be able to presume immunity from hard facts, evidence, and due process.

• If the current police conclusions are accurate, Smollett should go to jail.