As Twitchy just reported, Brian J. O’Malley posted a faked photo of Rep. Elise Stefanik allegedly giving the finger as former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was receiving a standing ovation from Democrats for her testimony. It didn’t take long for Resistance members like George Conway to retweet it (and then delete it), but how did they all fall for such an obvious fake so easily?

O’Malley apologized for posting the pic and he took it down, but he persisted beforehand:

Dude, Carpe Donktum or Matt’s Idea Shop could have whipped that up in 10 minutes.

I took down the picture after of Stefanik after someone pointed me to a graphic artist who had it on his timeline as an example of his "work." I won't defame him here. I take responsibility for it as it was my tweet. It looked real to me, because of a number of factors, (more) — Brian J. O'Malley (@BrianJOMalley) November 16, 2019

How can you “defame” someone who took credit for making the Photoshop and posted it to his timeline?

that included my source. We all make mistakes. I apologize to Congress Member Stefanik. I didn't like the way she treated Ambassador Yovanovich, but that should NEVER justify deliberate and knowing falsification of a picture. I also apologize to my followers. I didn't know. — Brian J. O'Malley (@BrianJOMalley) November 16, 2019

Imagine putting this much time into a bad Photoshop only to have missed that she’s on camera not wearing nail polish. https://t.co/vudupSBvHA — Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) November 16, 2019

Hey does this mean that memes are OK again now? — Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) November 16, 2019

Good on you, but what happened to verifying and asking for comment from the subject in question first before posting it on social media as fact? This happens far too often. https://t.co/wcZdoUHUiQ — Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) November 16, 2019

Just stop trying to clown your way through this. Really, just stop.

sincerely,

A photoshop guy. — Mark (@Mark__Westover) November 16, 2019

“I couldn’t have done it.” — self-proclaimed greatest Photoshopper of all time — Nick St. Denis (@NickStDenis) November 16, 2019

Taken down with an apology. I never said I was the greatest of all time. In fact, I said I couldn't have done it. — Brian J. O'Malley (@BrianJOMalley) November 16, 2019

I could have. As could anyone with basic training in graphic design — русский Rick (@TrickyRickDaddy) November 16, 2019

Most 12-year-olds could manage it. — Michele Blood (@BloodBrief) November 16, 2019

I could do that in about 45 seconds — Νοτοrιουs_ΜΙG (@Notorious_MIG) November 16, 2019

Lying ahole — EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) November 16, 2019

I could photo shop this in 30 seconds with an iPhone app — Sweater Yams (@Sweater_Yams_) November 16, 2019

Bro I could have done this in 10 minutes on a phone. Just take the L pic.twitter.com/3kdrlecfKj — Recalcitrant Epitaph (@AnonHominid) November 16, 2019

Stefanik is legit not wearing nail polish in THE PHOTO YOU RETWEETED at the beginning of this thread. Thank you for your in-depth fact-checking and thorough understanding of photoshop, https://t.co/Qb1kuSYFW7. — Farahn Morgan (@FarahnMorgan) November 16, 2019

Almost as tricky as figuring out her ring disappeared. — Lynn Alford (@lwa0506) November 16, 2019

Doubling down isn't doing you any favors. She wasn't wearing nail polish and her wedding ring is missing. Take the L, genius — Frank Castle The Austere Punisher (@FrankCastigli19) November 16, 2019

Brian, below is a clip from the hearing. The fake pic 1. doesnt have her wedding ring, 2. she has dark nail polish. You got played. Its ok to admit a mistake. pic.twitter.com/9cVrkOwFHi — Fred Short (@fshort3) November 16, 2019

It is a fake Einstein. Just like the Democrat impeachment process. — William J. Matthews ???️‍♂️⛳??? (@WJMx10) November 16, 2019

enjoy your defamation suit. — Brian C (@BrianColas7) November 16, 2019

I think you have adequately demonstrated your knowledge of Photoshop already. Maybe best to step back? pic.twitter.com/tnk2o8s9R9 — Voodoo (@Darkstalight) November 16, 2019

Keep digging — 5PointSlo (@5PointSlo) November 16, 2019

Don’t mind me. Carry on with the dragging, folks. pic.twitter.com/ma9mhFEPqA — Shane (@Sarge_87) November 16, 2019

I can't believe you're a former journalist….oh wait, yes I can ?? — J.J. by the Bay (@flagg_colonel) November 16, 2019

Yeah, plus I really, really, really, really wanted it to be true. — james (@thelook01) November 16, 2019

Are you spreading false information to influence an election? — Garrett Moe (@Garrettmoe) November 16, 2019

You really are pathetic. You don't like her, or support her, that's just fine. This is just some really bottom drawl crap. Using a fake image, then when you get called out on it, you double down? How obtuse of you. — SpyTheLiar (@SpyTheLiar) November 16, 2019

Look, at least the guy apologized, but so much for his “trusted source.” This whole thing is a clown show on top of another clown show.

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