Not long after CNN went apoplectic over one of their reporters being dismissed as a “liberal hack” by Sen. Martha McSally, one of their analysts was caught fabricating quotes out of thin air.

Such was the case of CNN’s Joe Lockhart, who, while reporting on the Senate trial, literally invented a conversation between two Republican senators that he tweeted out to his followers. As of writing, nearly 10k people shared his tweet, and nearly 40k “liked” it.

“Overheard convo between two Republicans Senators who only watch Fox News” began the lie. “‘is this real stuff? I haven’t heard any of this before. I thought it was all about a server. If half the stuff Schiff is saying is true, we’re up shit’s creek. Hope the White House has exculpatory evidence'” Lockhart wrote, quoting two Republican Senators that exist only in his head.

After a number of users pointed out how cartoonish that conversation sounds, Lockhart admitted that he made the whole thing up.

He said it’s OK though – because “you know that’s exactly what they’re thinking.” Who knew CNN hired a telepath?

Ok maybe I made up the convo, but you know that's exactly what they're thinking. — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) January 22, 2020

He then doubled down further to that the post was actually satire (which is odd, because I was under the impression that satire is supposed to be funny).

Everyone relax. This is satire. Satire to make the point that Senators that are deciding the President's fate who only watch Fox News have never heard this stuff before. Because Fox is part of the coverup. https://t.co/ktCxCg1Irt — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) January 22, 2020

Ironically, Lockhart also hosts a podcast called “Words Matter.”

Not his, it seems.