As the investigation heats up surrounding Russian's interference in the 2016 presidential election, Republicans and the right-wing media have decided to push their own theory. Despite trying to tie Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to a backdoor deal with Russia over the sale of uranium, a Fox News host surprisingly came out to debunk the talking point.
Fox News shocker
From the start of his campaign for president, Donald Trump has been forced to hit back against growing allegations of being in cahoots with Russia. From praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and refusing to release his tax returns, the former host of "The Apprentice" has come under fire for his potential ties back to the Kremlin.
Prior to locking up the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention, then campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has since be indicted, was forced to resign after his financial ties to Russia were uncovered. Since then, several past and current members of the campaign and administration have been linked back to communicating with Russia, from former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and even the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. While the pressure mounts on Trump, the conservative media, led by Fox News, have attempted to bring up a deal that was allegedly made with a Russian company named "Uranium One" with the theory stating $140 million was donated to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for uranium.
As seen a November 14 segment on Fox News, one host made sure to set the record straight.
Shep Smith just took apart the Uranium One conspiracy theory in what amounts to a methodical annihilation of his own network's coverage of the story. pic.twitter.com/D439QyIBWU
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 14, 2017
On Tuesday night, Fox News host Shepard Smith spoke about the current Russian investigation, which included Jeff Sessions appearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee.
After running a clip of the aforementioned Uranium One conspiracy, which has been promoted heavily by fellow host Sean Hannity, Smith noted, "That statement is inaccurate in a number of ways." "First, the Clinton State Department had no power to veto or approve that transaction," he noted, before adding, "It could do neither."
WATCH: Shep Smith debunks Trump claim that Clinton gave away American uranium to Russia https://t.co/ZPFM00xXZ4 pic.twitter.com/DCtl3I7yZA
— The Hill (@thehill) November 14, 2017
"The accusation is predicated on the charge that Secretary Clinton approved the sale.
She did not," Shepard Smith went on to say. "A committee of nine evaluated the sale. The president approved the sale. The nuclear regulatory commission and others had to offer permits and none of the uranium was exported for use by the US to Russia," Smith concluded.
Fox News viewers revolt
After Shepard Smith debunked the right-wing conspiracy about Uranium One, Fox News viewers lost it on social media. "Get rid of him. He is a shill for Hillary as most gays are. Does not have the integrity to be on Fox send to CNN," one tweet read.
#foxnews - Here we go again with that shit Shepard Smith giving his anti-Trump comments on AG Sessions testimony. Shep it's clear u suck!
— essdee (@essdee524) November 14, 2017
@FoxNews if I wanted to see an unfactual and slanted view I would watch CNN. I can’t watch Shepard Smith anymore. I’m dont with that show. He is arrogant and clearly anti trump
— Jim Hennahane (@limabean002) November 14, 2017
"You need to get that hack @ShepNewsTeam out of Fox.
He just made excuses for #CrookedHillary and is clearly a double agent," another tweet noted. "Here we go again with that sh*t Shepard Smith giving his anti-Trump comments on AG Sessions testimony. Shep it's clear u s*ck!" another Twitter user wrote.
I normally don't tune into Shep's hour on FOX, can't stand his bias, but today while surfing channels he caught my interest...in 3 mts he argued Hillary's defense, how she had nothing to do with Uranium One and how Trump had lied about it. HE HAS TO GO!!!
— S☉L TI☉ (@SolMTio) November 14, 2017
You need to get that hack @ShepNewsTeam out of Fox. He just made excuses for #CrookedHillary and is clearly a double agent. Hey Shep.. Hillary took the 145M regardless of when it was sent. Pay for play you goof
— Lab Lover (@Dutchistheballs) November 14, 2017
Those 9 that approved uranium deal were all Obama Clinton lackies. Just like Shepard Smith!
— Frank M Grubb (@fmg223) November 14, 2017
"Those 9 that approved uranium deal were all Obama Clinton lackies. Just like Shepard Smith!" an additional tweet stated. The backlash to Shepard Smith continued as right-wing Americans and viewers of Fox News expressed their outrage of anything left of center.