Left-wing movie director Oliver Stone rips Democrats’ ‘lying’ Russiagate probe against Trump

Fox News - Apr 6th, 2025
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Oliver Stone, a well-known left-wing movie director, has publicly criticized Democrats and supported former President Donald Trump's actions concerning the 2016 election's Russia investigation. Stone accused Democrats of weaponizing federal law enforcement and lying about Trump's alleged collusion with Russia. He praised Trump for his executive order to declassify files related to Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI's initial investigation into the matter. Stone believes that adversaries like Russia and China could be the United States' best partners and noted that the perception of these nations as enemies is a result of propaganda.

Stone's comments reflect his longstanding support for narratives favorable to Russia, as seen in his previous documentaries. While endorsing Trump's efforts against those involved in the Russiagate scandal, Stone expressed disapproval of Trump's stance on pro-Palestinian protesters, particularly regarding alleged antisemitism. Stone's perspective highlights a significant divide in American political discourse, where differing interpretations of federal power and international relations continue to polarize opinions. His views also underscore ongoing debates about the role of federal agencies and the influence of foreign policy narratives in shaping public perception.

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RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a provocative narrative centered on Oliver Stone's controversial views regarding the Russiagate investigation and U.S. international relations. While it effectively captures Stone's perspective and ties it to current political events, the story lacks balance and depth due to its reliance on a single viewpoint without offering counterarguments or additional expert insights. The factual claims, particularly those about the Democrats' actions and Trump's executive order, require further verification to bolster the article's accuracy. Despite these shortcomings, the article is timely and addresses issues of significant public interest, such as political accountability and global diplomacy. Its potential to engage and provoke discussion is notable, though its impact may be limited by the absence of a more comprehensive analysis. Overall, the article offers a clear but one-sided account of a complex topic, with room for improvement in balance, source diversity, and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that require verification. For instance, Oliver Stone's assertion that Democrats 'lied' in their attempts to charge Trump with Russian collusion is a significant claim that lacks direct evidence in the text. The Mueller Report, which investigated these allegations, found no conspiracy but did not explicitly accuse Democrats of lying. Additionally, the article mentions Trump's executive order to declassify files related to Crossfire Hurricane, which is a verifiable fact but requires confirmation of its specifics. Stone's views on international relations, particularly regarding China and Russia as potential partners, are subjective and reflect personal opinion rather than concrete facts. Overall, while some claims are rooted in verifiable actions, others rely heavily on personal opinions and interpretations, which affects the story's factual accuracy.

5
Balance

The article predominantly reflects Oliver Stone's perspective, presenting his views on Russiagate and international relations without offering counterpoints or alternative perspectives. This creates an imbalance, as the narrative leans heavily towards supporting Trump's actions and criticizing Democrats. The lack of voices from those accused of 'weaponizing' federal law enforcement or those with differing views on U.S. relationships with China and Russia results in a skewed representation of the issues. Including more diverse viewpoints would provide a more balanced understanding of the complex topics discussed.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of Oliver Stone's views and the actions taken by Trump. The language used is straightforward, and the structure follows a logical progression from Stone's criticisms to his views on international relations. However, the clarity could be improved by providing more background information on the Russiagate investigation and the geopolitical context of U.S. relations with China and Russia. This additional context would help readers unfamiliar with the topics better understand the significance of the claims made.

6
Source quality

The primary source of the article is Oliver Stone, a well-known filmmaker with a history of controversial opinions. While his statements are newsworthy due to his public profile, they may not carry the same weight as those from experts in political or international relations. The article references actions by Trump, such as the executive order, which can be verified through official government sources. However, the reliance on Stone's personal views without additional corroborating sources or expert commentary limits the overall reliability and depth of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several areas, particularly regarding the basis for Stone's claims and the context of the issues discussed. There is little explanation of the methodology behind the assertions made, such as the alleged 'weaponization' of federal agencies. The article would benefit from more detailed explanations of the evidence supporting or refuting Stone's statements, as well as any potential biases influencing his views. Additionally, the motivations behind the claims and the broader context of the political and international issues are not thoroughly explored, which could help readers better understand the nuances involved.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/media/oliver-stone-lawfare-being-used-against-trump-new-form-warfare
  2. https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/gop-congressman-says-signal-leak-was-obviously-a-mistake-defers-to-president-to-determine-consequences/
  3. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/oliver-stone-testify-jfk-files-house-hearing
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6371052105112
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Cohen_(lawyer)