Sen. Mullin suggests 'fake news' would decline if violence could 'still' settle disputes

Yahoo! News - Apr 6th, 2025

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, sparked controversy with a video suggesting that journalists might produce fewer 'fake news' stories if disputes over coverage could be resolved through violence. The video, posted on his official X account, references a historical incident from 1890 where a reporter shot a former congressman at the U.S. Capitol. Mullin, an ally of former President Donald Trump, made these remarks as the Senate deliberated over a GOP budget plan, which eventually passed. The video, filmed at the historical site of the shooting, shows the stairs where the event took place, and has amassed over 26,000 views and more than 2,100 likes by Sunday noon. A spokesperson for Mullin has not yet commented on the senator's statement.

Mullin's remarks come amid a rising trend of verbal attacks against journalists, a trend exacerbated by Trump, who reportedly insulted or attacked the media over 100 times during recent campaign speeches. A survey by the International Center for Journalists highlights that 27% of Americans have witnessed journalists being harassed or threatened online, with white, male, Republican respondents showing a higher tolerance for such behavior. Mullin, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, has previously drawn attention for invoking violence and recently voiced support for tariffs announced by Trump, which some economists warn could lead to a recession. As public discourse becomes increasingly hostile towards the media, Mullin's comments add to the ongoing debate about the role and treatment of journalists in society.

Donald Trump U.S. Senate Media Criticism Markwayne Mullin Fake News Violence Against Journalists Gop Budget Plan

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RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively captures a controversial statement by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, highlighting ongoing tensions between political figures and the media. Its strengths lie in timely relevance and potential to engage readers in discussions about media integrity and political rhetoric. However, the lack of balanced perspectives and insufficient verification of certain claims weaken its overall accuracy and depth. By providing a more comprehensive view and incorporating expert analysis, the article could offer a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues it addresses.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that need verification, such as Sen. Markwayne Mullin's statement about violence reducing 'fake news' and the historical incident he references. While the article accurately quotes Mullin's controversial remarks, it lacks confirmation of the historical event's details, such as the bloodstains on the steps. The report also mentions statistics from Reporters Without Borders and the International Center for Journalists, which should be cross-verified for precision.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Mullin's controversial statement and past actions, potentially skewing the narrative towards a negative portrayal without offering a broader range of perspectives. There is a lack of counterarguments or responses from other political figures or media experts, which could provide a more balanced view of the implications of Mullin's remarks.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting Mullin's statements and actions in a straightforward manner. The narrative flows logically from the introduction of Mullin's remarks to the broader context of media criticism. However, the tone could be perceived as slightly biased due to the lack of diverse perspectives, which may affect overall comprehension and neutrality.

Source quality

The article references Mullin's own social media post and statistics from reputable organizations, suggesting some level of source credibility. However, the absence of direct quotes from Mullin's spokesperson or other political analysts weakens the reliability and depth of the report. The reliance on secondary sources without additional corroboration or expert commentary limits the article's authority.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind the statistics cited and does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest. While it provides context about Mullin's political background and actions, it does not clarify the basis of the historical claims or the implications of the statistics used. Greater transparency about the sources and their reliability would enhance the article's credibility.