It's a very damning chain of events in the whole process. From the quality of "intelligence" reports, to how McCain is involve, to how it gets leaked to the press and to how it was so poorly published by anyone with a journalism degree. Where is Tibs to defend this one? Are people starting to figure out why many here don't believe anything anymore? That we are so skeptical?
What is it that you don't believe in these 'damning chain of events' that you describe? What is the fake news story here? Please explain.
- The fact that this addendum to the intel report exists - highlighting possible Russian blackmail against Trump, and that it was shown to Trump and Obama during their intelligence briefings?
- The fact CNN reported this?
- The fact buzzfeed posted the report online? (agree with their decision or not, did it not happen?)
- The fact McCain admitted to seeing report and that he himself provided this to the FBI/CIA? Did this not happen?
- The fact multiple, credible intelligence sources have verified the existence of this intel report?
So what's the fake news?
The content, ie facts, details, names, dates, times, etc. contained within the leaked intelligence report can be called into question. To that end, I see your point. But then shouldn't the response be - in Trump's best interest - to launch an immediate investigation into the whole thing, including filing slander charges against CNN/Buzzfeed, McCain?
Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if the president-elect handled this in a professional manner? Or do you prefer this version, screaming on twitter in all-caps, yelling at and threatening journalists at a news conference, continuing to confuse and obscure his relationship and dealings with Russia, which makes the alleged charges believable to begin with?
It's fake news because 4chan and wikileaks says it is? It's fake news cause breitbart, Spike and IndySteel says it is? Why not come clean to the American people, go through the so-called 'fake report' item-by-item and prove beyong reasonable doubt it's all a bunch of made-up garbage, as Trump asserts it is.
Or do we simply climb the highest tower and scream 'FAKE NEWS!' at the top of our lungs and hope it all goes away?