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Former Republican Congressman Went on Fox News and Tried to Spread Lies About Democrats, But the Host Shut Him All the Way Down
Well now.
Though some of the network's highest earners are those who freely parrot falsehoods, Fox News does have employees who focus on the facts. Marie Harf proved that she's one of them in a heated exchange with former Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz.
While blasting Democrats, Chaffetz spewed some blatant falsehoods:
"I don't buy the Democrats on wanting to secure the border. They wanted to shut down ICE, they were encouraging on the caravan—"
That's when Harf stepped in. Chaffetz chastised the host for interrupting him and Harf's fellow panelists began to turn on her, but she still stuck by her guns:
"When he says things that aren't accurate on TV, I'm going to interrupt you. The Democratic caucus does not support shutting down ICE. Individual members talk about it, the caucus does not. Second, the Democratic party is not supporting the caravan. That is a conspiracy theory that has been repeatedly debunked online. Do not repeat it for our viewers. Please."
Chaffetz kept attempting to interrupt Harf with claims of "I believe—" before she silenced him with "No evidence. No evidence. No evidence. None."
A shaken Chaffetz could only muster
"We disagree on that one."
Watch the tense moment below:
Fox News panelist Marie Harf calls out Jason Chaffetz for spreading lies: "That is a conspiracy theory that has bee… https://t.co/fLdKLVEGzM— Media Matters (@Media Matters) 1544555982.0
It's not often that falsehoods—especially those attempting to discredit Democrats—go unchecked on Fox News, which may be why Chaffetz only had his feelings to fall back on.
Soon enough, Twitter users were living for Marie Harf's unapologetic takedown.
@mmfa Marie brings it to one of the boys who thinks he can just run over her....without a fact anywhere nearby— NatIrvinII (@NatIrvinII) 1544557951.0
@mmfa @kbrunocrafts Someone has got to tell@people spreading all that BS to shut up. Good for her! Now if i saw mo… https://t.co/OrK3q4hMir— This government sucks big hairy Wooly Mammoth dick (@This government sucks big hairy Wooly Mammoth dick) 1544561105.0
Marie harf just owned the entire fox panel. #outnumbered— dour32 (@dour32) 1544550200.0
@thedailybeast Fox has a Liberal host? Huh, I did not know that, lol. Good!— WMR 🇨🇦 🍁 (@WMR 🇨🇦 🍁) 1544560396.0
Meanwhile, they dragged Chaffetz's "feelings" argument.
@thedailybeast Lol, Chaffetz trying to use "feelings" over Marie's "Facts" didn't work to well. Chaffetz QUIT in th… https://t.co/M70Mt49jG8— Chris Metzger (@Chris Metzger) 1544578104.0
@mmfa How do you disagree on facts and evidence???— Mary Ellen Cosenza (@Mary Ellen Cosenza) 1544587165.0
Say what?! "Chaffetz ... said he “wholeheartedly” believes “in my heart,” but Harf cut him off. “Well, there’s no… https://t.co/D3jSznPJ5A— ☃️❄Kristi Winters/Trump is a Russian Asset (@☃️❄Kristi Winters/Trump is a Russian Asset) 1544646083.0
But when truth is featured on Fox News, it often ends up dividing the viewers.
Though Chaffetz was the one perpetuating falsehoods and conspiracy theories, Harf received heavy criticism from some of Fox's more devout viewers.
Wow, Marie Harf lying on @OutnumberedFNC again.. Shocker. #Outnumbered— R𝒪ME (@R𝒪ME) 1544549187.0
@OutnumberedFNC Marie Harf, you are such a loser and liar. You hear what you want. I do not know how those great la… https://t.co/vBV09SmxXv— Donna-Marie (@Donna-Marie) 1544549164.0
#Outnumbered Marie Harf=Naive on steroids— Jim Pell (@Jim Pell) 1544635782.0
Though users dismissing Harf were not in short supply, those praising her weren't outnumbered. Many found respect for facts and accountability for falsehoods a refreshing sight on Fox News.
@madsen62 @mmfa You totally should, though! It's awesome and totally unexpected on Faux News!— BeccaBe29 (@BeccaBe29) 1544578014.0
@mmfa Hot. More on air fact checking PLEASE!!!!— A_Izen (@A_Izen) 1544558877.0
@mmfa That was a beautiful moment on Fox. Never thought I’d say that!— Nic (@Nic) 1544567319.0
@mmfa @kbrunocrafts Someone has got to tell@people spreading all that BS to shut up. Good for her! Now if i saw mo… https://t.co/OrK3q4hMir— This government sucks big hairy Wooly Mammoth dick (@This government sucks big hairy Wooly Mammoth dick) 1544561105.0
Fox remains the favorite network of President Donald Trump, but if hosts like Marie Harf keep holding those willing to lie on air accountable, that might just change.