--- title: "Senator Schmitt Accuses Jack Smith of Perjury Over Basketball Game" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-29T20:05:12.546Z" source_reported: "2026-09-29T19:46:28.000Z" updated: "2026-09-29T20:05:12.546Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-29T20:15:48.419792+00:00" --- # Senator Schmitt Accuses Jack Smith of Perjury Over Basketball Game *Klobuchar points out Schmitt's confusion between Iowa Hawkeyes and Atlanta Hawks.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, but relies on anonymous sourcing for the conspiracy theory. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Quotes affected parties and names specific details, but lacks context and right of reply. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Senator Eric Schmitt accused former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury during a Senate hearing. - Schmitt claimed Smith lied about attending an NBA game in Atlanta. - Jack Smith stated he attended a game in Maryland involving the Iowa Hawkeyes. - Senator Amy Klobuchar noted Schmitt's confusion between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Atlanta Hawks. Senator Eric Schmitt accused former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury, alleging Smith had lied about attending an NBA game in Atlanta. Schmitt presented text messages he said proved Smith's attendance. However, under questioning from Senator Amy Klobuchar, Smith stated he had attended a game in Maryland featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes. ## Disagreement on game location and teams Senator Eric Schmitt claimed Jack Smith attended an NBA game in Atlanta. Jack Smith stated he attended a game in Maryland. Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted Schmitt's apparent confusion between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Atlanta Hawks. ## What the coverage left out No right-rated reports were published about this story. The digests from left and centre-rated outlets did not mention any claims made by Republican officials suggesting Jack Smith colluded with Fani Willis to prosecute Trump, beyond the context of Schmitt's initial accusation. ## Who covered it Shares of the 7 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 86% (6) - Centre: 14% (1) - Right: 0% (0) 0 of 7 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-29T20:15:48.419792+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-29T20:30:25.286Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Ten left-rated reports focused on Senator Eric Schmitt's accusation of perjury against former special counsel Jack Smith. These reports highlighted Schmitt's claim that Smith lied about attending an NBA game in Atlanta. They also detailed how Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed out Schmitt's confusion between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Atlanta Hawks, with some reports quoting Klobuchar directly. Several left-rated outlets noted that conspiracy theories promoted by Republican officials suggest Smith colluded with Fani Willis to prosecute Trump. The Independent's full report noted the reaction of Republican Senator Katie Britt to Schmitt's gaffe. Raw Story and Alternet mentioned Sean Hannity deleting a post related to the exchange. Joe.My.God. and Above the Law used headlines that characterised Schmitt's actions as a significant error. ### Centre - The centre-rated report from The Hill led with Senator Amy Klobuchar's reaction to Senator Eric Schmitt's apparent confusion. The report quoted Klobuchar stating she was glad one of them knew the difference between the Hawks and the Hawkeyes. It also noted Klobuchar's call for an apology from Schmitt before he made accusations. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 6 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Lawyers, Guns & Money](https://lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/09/you-dont-have-to-be-an-abject-moron-to-be-an-maga-senator-but-it-certainly-helps) — You don't have to be an abject moron to be an MAGA senator, but it certainly helps - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/sean-hannity-2677960972) — 'This is what you like!' Fury after Sean Hannity backpedals defense of Jack Smith attack - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6118654-klobuchar-on-schmitt-glad-one-of-us-knows-difference-between-hawks-hawkeyes) — Klobuchar on Schmitt: Glad one of us knows difference between Hawks, Hawkeyes - [The Wrap](https://thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/senator-humiliating-hearing-eric-schmitt-jack-smith-atlanta-hawks-iowa-hawkeyes) — GOP Senator Suffers ‘Completely Humiliating’ Gaffe in Planned ‘Gotcha’ Hearing Moment With Jack Smith - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/tv/news/eric-schmitt-hawks-hawkeyes-katie-britt-video-b3058549.html) — Senator’s look of horror after she realizes colleague’s huge gaffe - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/tv/news/eric-schmitt-hawks-hawkeyes-katie-britt-video-b3058549.html) — Senator’s look of horror after she realizes colleague’s huge gaffe - [Minnesota Reformer](https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/09/29/klobuchars-knowledge-of-midwest-college-sports-comes-in-handy-during-hearing) — Klobuchar's knowledge of Midwest college sports comes in handy during hearing - [BVM Sports US](https://bvmsports.com/2026/09/29/u-s-senator-embarrassingly-mixes-up-iowa-hawkeyes-atlanta-hawks-during-official-hearing) — U.S. Senator embarrassingly mixes up Iowa Hawkeyes, Atlanta Hawks during official hearing - [RollingStone](https://rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/eric-schmitt-gaffe-jack-smith-hearing-maga-media-1235633962) — MAGA Media Is Trying to Spin Senator’s Brutal Gaffe Into a Win - [Alternet](https://alternet.org/news-maga-news-twitter) — Sean Hannity deletes post after Jack Smith tears apart new MAGA conspiracy - [PBS NewsHour](https://pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-schmitt-suggests-jack-smith-perjured-himself-about-a-basketball-game-but-mixes-up-2-teams) — Schmitt suggests Jack Smith perjured himself about a basketball game, but mixes up 2 teams - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/29/jack-smith-senate-hearing-perjury-accusation-schmitt-basketball/91990700007) — Republican's apparent basketball mixup derails Jack Smith hearing - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/oops-gop-sen-eric-schmitt-epically-face-plants-in-failed-attempt-to-bust-jack-smith-for-perjury-video) — OOPS: GOP Sen. Eric Schmitt Epically Face-Plants In Failed Attempt To Bust Jack Smith For Perjury - [MS NOW](https://ms.now/news/news-analysis/eric-schmitt-jack-smith-senate-hearing-basketball) — GOP senator suffers embarrassing blunder while grilling Jack Smith in hearing - [Above the Law](https://abovethelaw.com/2026/09/senator-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-because-missouri-lawmaker-too-dumb-to-know-about-the-iowa-hawkeyes) — Senator Accuses Jack Smith Of Perjury Because Missouri Lawmaker Too Dumb To Know About The Iowa Hawkeyes - [saturdaydownsouth.com](https://saturdaydownsouth.com/news/sports/u-s-senator-embarrassingly-mixes-up-iowa-hawkeyes-atlanta-hawks-during-official-hearing) — U.S. Senator embarrassingly mixes up Iowa Hawkeyes, Atlanta Hawks during official hearing - [The Comeback](https://thecomeback.com/politics/eric-schmitt-caitlin-clark-mistake-jack-smith.html) — Republican Senator embarrasses himself with bizarre Caitlin Clark mistake during Jack Smith testimony - [Newstalk KZRG](https://newstalkkzrg.com/2026/09/29/missouri-sen-eric-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-before-basketball-mix-up-emerges) — Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt accuses Jack Smith of perjury before basketball mix-up emerges - [HuffPost](https://huffpost.com/entry/eric-schmitt-jack-smith-iowa-hawkeyes-atlanta-hawks_n_6abbd874e4b0cdca1abea05e) — Republican Senator Makes Embarrassing Mistake While Accusing Jack Smith Of Crimes - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/eric-schmitt-2677959414) — Even Politico trolls outraged Republican for handing Jack Smith a win - [Politicus USA](https://politicususa.com/p/the-jack-smith-hearing-is-a-complete) — The Jack Smith Hearing Is A Complete Disaster For Republicans - [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/maga-influencers-wildly-try-to-spin-gop-senators-viral-gaffe-as-a-win-lock-this-traitor-up) — MAGA Influencers Wildly Try to Spin GOP Senator’s Viral Gaffe as a Win: ‘Lock This Traitor Up!’ ## Questions **What did Senator Eric Schmitt accuse Jack Smith of?** Senator Eric Schmitt accused former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury. Schmitt claimed Smith lied about attending an NBA game in Atlanta, presenting text messages as evidence. Jack Smith stated he attended a game in Maryland. **What was the confusion during the hearing?** Senator Eric Schmitt appeared to confuse the Iowa Hawkeyes, a college basketball team, with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted this mix-up, noting that Smith had attended a game in Maryland involving the Hawkeyes. **Did any right-rated outlets cover this story?** No right-rated outlets published reports on this story. The coverage analysed came from left-rated and centre-rated publications, as well as unrated sources. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Senator Schmitt Accuses Jack Smith of Perjury Over Basketball Game", https://mediabias.news/politics/senator-schmitt-accuses-jack-smith-of-perjury-over-basketball-game