Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) confronted former special counsel Jack Smith during a Senate hearing Tuesday, claiming text messages proved Smith had attended an Atlanta Hawks game on Feb. 3, 2024, and had lied about it under oath.
Schmitt presented what he said were texts from Smith's staff referencing a basketball game and argued the Atlanta visit showed collusion between Smith and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who also investigated President Donald Trump.
Smith clarified he had attended a University of Maryland women's NCAA tournament game against the University of Iowa that date. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) then pointed out Schmitt had confused Iowa's mascot—the Hawkeyes—with the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.
Right-wing commentators initially seized on the exchange. Benny Johnson, a MAGA figure, posted an out-of-context clip claiming Schmitt had "CAUGHT Jack Smith perjuring himself on the stand." Another account with nearly 300,000 followers said Smith "completely UNRAVELS" as Schmitt presented "receipts."
Johnson deleted his post Tuesday after it received a community correction. Sean Hannity also shared the story initially but removed his post shortly after.
Schmitt appeared on "The Charlie Kirk Show" minutes after the hearing and insisted his accusation was correct.
