96 Comments
User's avatar
Ron Kurtz's avatar

Why am I not surprised???

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Jayne's avatar

Ali told Schlapp he would not accept any off the record comments. Yet he prints allegations from unnamed individuals. This crap is what killed the legacy media and should kill left wing hacks who continue with non-stop allegations from unnamed sources.

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Crip Dyke's avatar

LOL. Jayne & JohnP, you two don't know the difference between an unnamed source and an off-the-record comment?

I look forward to your Columbia Journalism Review article about all Ali's mistakes. Should be entertaining, coming from experienced media critics like yourselves.

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Jayne's avatar

You missed the point entirely. I look forward to you graduating from 9th grade English with better reading comprehension.

He claims he won't violate his "long standing policy" of taking nothing off the record as if it's a matter of principle. Then he turned around and published countless allegations from anonymous sources.

I remember when people trusted their evening news. Back then they would never, EVER report allegations from anonymous sources. That all changed during the Obama years, and went on steroids towards the end of his 2nd term when they were trying so hard to defeat Trump.

Since then, "journalists" have continued allege things from anonymous sources. And then they wonder why almost nobody trusts them anymore.

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Smug Christophe's avatar

Um, where have you been the past 60 years of modern journalism?

Anonymous sources are not a recent phenomenon. Every major news outlet, including evening news has utilized anonymous sources. You’re referring to an era in journalism—even broadcast journalism—that never existed.

Bernstein & Woodward’s reporting during Watergate was built on anonymous sources (who was later revealed to be Mark Felt); The Pentagon Papers was originally provided to the press anonymously; anonymous sources have been established in journalism way before the Obama years.

I guess you’re new to Ali’s reporting. He’s similar to every credible independent journalist who has sources from across the political spectrum.

But yes, let’s defend the guy who has had well-established perverted behavior. Ali even gave Schlapp a chance to respond.

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Jayne's avatar

What "well-established" behaviors was he charged with and convicted of? Or are you citing more hearsay?

99.9% of the reporting from the legacy/failed media since Trump ran for office has been garbage allegations from anonymous sources. If you missed the massive escalation in it that resulted in them totally losing the trust of the people, that's on you.

But that led sane people to do is give zero credence to any allegations until they become more than hearsay anonymous sources.

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Smug Christophe's avatar

I strongly suggest you look up reports on Matt Schlapp over the past 2 years. I'm not going to sit here and post links.

Most of it turned out to be accurate. You should just say that you hate any unflattering story about anyone in Trumpland, rather than give me a retort that insults my intelligence. At least your commentary would be a half-turn more honest.

And please learn the definition of hearsay. It does not apply when the sources cited by Ali are primary sources—direct witnesses to Schlapp's behavior in question. Your incorrect application of the term negated everything you just said.

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Contrarian's avatar

I’m a Trump supporter and I believe it completely. He gives off those vibes.

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Jayne's avatar

As I figured, you have zero evidence of your claims.

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Smug Christophe's avatar

I’m going to humor you:

Here’s Schlappy agreeing to a half million dollar settlement, paid by his insurance company, to ax a lawsuit:

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/27/politics/matt-schlapp-settlement-sexual-assault-lawsuit

The plaintiff, who filed the lawsuit lied that there was no settlement until it was revealed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/28/matt-schlapp-cpac-assault-claim-leadership/

Here’s a story about the origin of the lawsuit, where the plaintiff provided contemporaneous text messages.

CPAC board member wanted the organization to investigate additional claims of sexual misconduct:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/26/matt-schlapp-cpac-sexual-misconduct-allegations/

Even CPAC internally acknowledged there was a problem, but as with many institutions with powerful men—especially in right-wing politics—they rather cover up & enable.

Hope this helps.

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Jayne's avatar

Your sources of "news refer to "allegations", "according to [unnamed] people with direct knowledge of the situation". And from CNN and WaPo, no less, who spent two years spewing nothing but garbage and lies about Trump and Russia. Then they did the same to Matt Gaetz after Biden's corrupt DOJ refused to indict him.

I don't believe anything said by any member of the media when it's based on anonymous sources. Clearly you do.

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Renee Stallions's avatar

Where's the proof? If there is video and photos, release them. Otherwise, everyone will think it's a smear campaign. Deem yourself reputable and post the evidence.

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Crip Dyke's avatar

No one thinks this is a smear campaign. Schlapp has a long history of sexual assault claims against him, and a long history of lying about them. Ali doesn't own the bar's video but he says he examined it. He put his personal word on this story, not merely the testimony of others.

But even if it was just the testimony of others, still everyone would believe it. Not merely because there were 7 witnesses, which in my opinion is plenty to believe a story like this, but also because Schlapp sexually assaults men. That's what he does.

Even former CPAC board members called him out over this stuff and said that they were lied to or misled. IIRC, at least one actually resigned over it after learning details.

You, me, Ali, and everyone else on this planet has more than ample reason to believe that he's a serial sexual assaulter. The only reason to post a comment like yours is to play defense on behalf of someone you know is guilty. If Ali's work wasn't credible, you'd have no reason to bother.

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Renee Stallions's avatar

So then post the proof. It's not that difficult. Smh.

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Smug Christophe's avatar

That’s not how this works.

Ali does not own the security footage, nor does he have the consent of the establishment to post the security footage.

The events in question were corroborated by 7 different people. Seven. That is an enormous amount for any given story for a journalist.

Just because you don’t believe it doesn’t undermine its veracity. Moreover, Schlapp’s behavior has been well-established over the years and apparently well-known in conservative circles.

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The Woke Antagonist's avatar

Shut TF up! He's a sexual perv. On brand for the sexually deviant Repugnants. Get over it and find better heroes.

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Kim's avatar

Good work reporting this, Yasar!

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TShirtRadical.com's avatar

What is the matter with these people ?!?!

What you do in the bedroom is no one's business. What you do in the bar is a different story.

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JohnP's avatar

You speak with 7 accusers off the record yet insist on speaking with Schlapp on the record?

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Smug Christophe's avatar

He wanted an on-the-record response to the allegations. Every journalist gives the subject if a story the opportunity to respond.

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JohnP's avatar

Every good journalist considers the facts and then the implications of publishing a story. In this case the author puts forth nothing but anonymous sources and facts not in evidence. Weak sauce for such damning allegations, imo.

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Smug Christophe's avatar

Ali's reporting is no different than any other time a journalist reports on a story involving sexual assault or sexual harassment. Just simply admit that you don't like the fact that this stuff is being reported about a conservative, Trump-supporting luminary. I would much rather have an honest retort.

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JohnP's avatar

Last retort: Have any traditional, mainstream outlets picked up this story? If so, I missed it. For the record, I only commented regarding the fairness and wisdom of the author of writing this accusatory piece with such weak backup. He claimed seeing video yet doesn't show it to his audience. Replace the name Schlapp with Schiff or Emhoff and I would feel the same.

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tom's avatar

I will never understand why people who identify with the conservative movement defend this behavior. There is a track record. this is a sexual predator. If a libertarian, I support politically, is very credibly accused multiple times of sexual assault, I am done. It is that simple. I liked Bill Clinton until I realizes he was a dog that could not control his sexual desires. it is not a reflection on you or your movement.

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Contrarian's avatar

I don’t think anyone is defending it. Denying it maybe!

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Crip Dyke's avatar

>> the latest in a series of sexual misconduct claims <<

I hate when reporters reduce "assault" to "misconduct" or "harassment". Your headline was accurate. He's being accused of assault. No need to downplay it.

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Azza Abdallah's avatar

Oh yeah, he is the gay guy who likes to schlapp men’s genitalia without their consent!

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Rebelone's avatar

The baboon associated with Epstein so I am not surprised that the majority in his administration and his donors are all inthe same grifting, rapist, pedophile, and sex trafficking club. They are all criminals but think they are above the law. Every wrong done unto others will eventually come around back to them.

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Sarah Green's avatar

He must be planning on running for president

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Art Lover's avatar

You need to be deported for your sedition.

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Art Lover's avatar

So you’re engaging in blackmail as well as just being a fucking liar? You’re a piece of shit. Exactly the kind of piece of shit who needs to be deported out of my country. You should probably start packing your bags you fucking seditionist.

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Patricia J. Quinn's avatar

Could this story indicate that another "conservative" is nothing but a sexual predator and a denier of their sexual identity?

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Shane Wade's avatar

again???

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Negative Waves's avatar

Careful shaking this guy's hand. He'll grab your schlep at the same time. A Schlapp schlep.

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