During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) asked former special counsel Jack Smith whether he attended a basketball game in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 3, 2024, according to The New Republic. Schmitt appeared to be trying to link Smith to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose affair with prosecutor Nathan Wade was revealed around that time, per The New Republic and the Washington Examiner.
Sources differ on the exact nature of the confusion. The New Republic and CNN reported that Schmitt referred to an NBA matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Forbes and The Hill reported the mix-up involved the Atlanta Hawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes college team. The Washington Examiner reported that Smith said the game he actually remembered attending featured Caitlin Clark in Maryland, not an NBA game in Georgia.
Smith told the committee, "I definitely did not go to a Hawks game," and indicated he had not spent time in Atlanta, according to The New Republic.
The Hill reported that the exchange later prompted Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) to comment on the panel, though the specific remark was not detailed in available material.
How each side covered it
Left
- The New Republic described the exchange as evidence Republicans lack substantive material on Jack Smith.
- Rolling Stone characterized Schmitt's attempt as backfiring after he mixed up basketball teams.
- CNN reported Schmitt appeared to mix up basketball teams while linking Smith to Fani Willis.
“MAGA Senator Humiliated After Attempt to Corner Jack Smith Backfires Comically” — Rolling Stone
Center
- Forbes reported the accusation fell apart due to confusion between the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes.
- The Hill reported the apparent team confusion derailed Schmitt's questioning about Smith's attendance at a game.
- The Hill noted the exchange prompted a later comment from Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
“Eric Schmitt seems to confuse basketball teams in attempt to link Jack Smith, Fani Willis” — The Hill
Right
- The Washington Examiner reported Schmitt's effort to place Smith in Atlanta ran into a snag.
- The outlet reported Smith said the game he recalled featured Caitlin Clark in Maryland, not an NBA game in Georgia.
“Hawks or Hawkeyes? Eric Schmitt's Jack Smith grilling runs into basketball mix-up” — Washington Examiner
Questions readers ask
What happened during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing?
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) questioned former special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday about attending a basketball game in Atlanta, Georgia, apparently trying to link Smith to Fulton County DA Fani Willis, but the exchange became confused over which teams were involved.
Why did Schmitt ask about a basketball game?
According to The New Republic and the Washington Examiner, Schmitt referenced a game on February 3, 2024, the day after Fani Willis's affair with prosecutor Nathan Wade was revealed, apparently suggesting a connection between Smith and Willis.
What was the mix-up about?
Sources disagree: The New Republic and CNN reported Schmitt confused NBA teams (Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks), while Forbes and The Hill reported the confusion was between the Atlanta Hawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes college team.
How did Jack Smith respond?
Smith said, "I definitely did not go to a Hawks game," and suggested he had not spent time in Atlanta, according to The New Republic. The Washington Examiner reported Smith said the game he attended featured Caitlin Clark in Maryland.
How did coverage of the exchange differ across outlets?
Left-leaning outlets like The New Republic and Rolling Stone framed the exchange as an embarrassing failure for Schmitt, center outlets like Forbes and The Hill focused on the factual confusion over team names, and the right-leaning Washington Examiner emphasized Smith's own account of which game he attended.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningSen. Eric Schmitt appears to mix up basketball teams while trying to link Jack Smith to Fani Willis
- Rolling StoneLeft-leaningMAGA Senator Humiliated After Attempt to Corner Jack Smith Backfires Comically
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningGOP Senator Tries to Trap Jack Smith—and Gets Every Detail Wrong
- ForbesCenterGOP Senator’s Jack Smith Accusation Falls Apart Over Confusing Atlanta Hawks And Iowa Hawkeyes
- The HillCenterEric Schmitt seems to confuse basketball teams in attempt to link Jack Smith, Fani Willis
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningHawks or Hawkeyes? Eric Schmitt’s Jack Smith grilling runs into basketball mix-up