WATCH: Jon Stewart rips Fox News, GOP on Benghazi obsession
The Daily Show host unpacks Wednesday's House hearings on last September's deadly attack in Libya, and he finds the outrage
The big political story on Wednesday was the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings on the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on U.S. diplomats in Benghazi, Libya. The Week's Keith Wagstaff outlined the seven biggest revelations from the testimony from three "whistle-blowers," Harold Maass rounds up speculation on the political motivations of the heavily promoted hearings, and editor-at-large Marc Ambinder adds his own thoughts.
At The Daily Show, Jon Stewart points out that this was in fact the ninth congressional hearing on the Benghazi attacks, in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three American security personnel were killed. He shows how Fox News has eagerly covered each hearing with over-the-top anticipation — and like the previous eight, Wednesday's testimony provided no smoking gun suggesting an Obama administration conspiracy. (Watch Part 1 above, and Part 2 below.)
If the various Fox News guests and GOP lawmakers are right that the Obama administration let the four Americans die to protect his political aspirations, then the Fox News refrain of "Where's the outrage?" is fully justified, and Americans will break out the pitchforks and torches, Stewart says. But there's a really big "if" in there. "You can't understand why everyone else isn't as outraged as you, when it is because the rest of us aren't sure if what you're saying is true," he tells Fox. "And to be quite frank, you do have somewhat of a history of hysteria.... You may be right, but the denizens of Bullshit Mountain have cried wolf before, and after eight months of intensive investigations you should be able to better state your case," Stewart adds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As a sort of rebuttal, watch Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), one of the lawmakers Stewart excoriates, make an emotional plea for more hearings on the Benghazi debacle.
Part 2:
Chaffetz's statement (via Mediaite):
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published