It feels like we’re writing this post for a second time because we already reported on Washington Post Fact-Checker columnist Glenn Kessler’s take on the arrest by the FBI of U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, a self-proclaimed white supremacist with a cache of weapons and a hit list including Democratic politicians and journalists.

President Trump had tweeted about Jussie Smollett’s arrest for perpetrating a hate crime hoax, Kessler noted, but how many times would he tweet about Hasson’s arrest — not acknowledging that Smollett had faked his attack and tried to blame it on Trump supporters, while Hasson was arrested before he could carry out his plans.

Kessler’s tweet was a very transparent wink-wink suggestion that Trump would ignore the white supremacist’s arrest while condemning Smollett’s racist, homophobic, and completely staged hate crime.

Former RNC chair and current MSNBC contributor Michael Steel showed no such restraint in a TV appearance Friday:

MSNBC’s Michael Steele says that President Donald Trump was “probably not happy” that the FBI stopped a white supremacist from carrying out a terrorist attack against Democratic politicians and left-wing media figures pic.twitter.com/AJOJlnGp9X — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) February 22, 2019

“These are his people. And he’s not going to thank law enforcement because he’s probably not happy about what law enforcement did.” Seriously? Trump isn’t happy with the FBI because they thwarted a domestic terror attack by a white supremacist, i.e., “his people”?

@MichaelSteele You’re a f*cking hack. Your comments that our President was unhappy about a white supremacist being stopped make you a f*cking hack. — onesoldiersmom ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@onesoldiersmom) February 23, 2019

What the darn hell is wrong with people these days? After saying these disturbing words and implying that @realDonaldTrump probably thought this, is creating a situation that never happened. Steele is a horrible person. He reflects unto others what he is. — USA Kicks Ass With Trump (@NunezYurik) February 23, 2019

Vilification plain and simple. Catering to the extreme left. — Drew (@eye_c_ewe) February 22, 2019

Such reckless “reporting” — Brad H (@tucsonbradh) February 23, 2019

That’s not reporting. That’s bomb throwing = entertainment. It’s all for show. — Imms (@MojoMojito12) February 23, 2019

Jesus. This is an example of the problem in its entirety. The media has had to double down over and over again and a lot of dumb people have bought it. What an absolute joke. The damage the media has done to the country is worse than their worst lies about Trump — Tony Mueller (@tmueller21) February 23, 2019

I think the left is upset that the guy didn't carry out his attacks. It would have fit the narrative they want. — David Hohbach (@dhohbach) February 23, 2019

If anyone wonders why the GOP is so weak, consider that Michael Steele was able to rise in that party to become the Republican National Committee Chairman — CJC (@Chris_Cheetham) February 23, 2019

Former GOP party chair, folks. — Joseph Ronaldson (@J_Ronaldson) February 23, 2019

That guy was once the chairman of the RNC. Let that sink in. — Chris (@propertymogul) February 23, 2019

Again the media is setup to divide and increase tension where it would otherwise not exist. — Keith Johnson (@thatkeithj) February 23, 2019

So, he was a screwball all this time? God, am I embarrassed I ever supported him. — Timaay (@Timaay) February 23, 2019

To think I used to respect Michael Steele — Deb O'Hagan (@smilinganyway) February 23, 2019

This is an example of the type of gaslighting and rhetoric fueling radicals on both the right and left. Absolutely irresponsible. When will cnn and msnbc realize the damage they are causing is more horrendous then anything Trump has presumedly caused — Cambrosi (@cambrosi) February 23, 2019

Why devote an hour to reporting the facts when you can convene a panel and float outrageous and divisive conspiracy theories?

How does the media not understand by now that this rhetoric is the exact discourse that 1. they actively and loudly claim they don't tolerate, and 2. causes the hate we see daily between the left and the right. — Jamin Lynch (@Lynch_Jamin) February 23, 2019

This is an absolutely disgusting comment and Michael Steele should be ashamed of thinking this, much less saying it. I cannot believe nobody called him out on it… but it is @MSNBC. — Lovin'Life (@LakeLifeIsGreat) February 22, 2019

What is WRONG with these people?! Michael Steele says Trump probably wasn't happy the FBI stopped a white nationalist from killing liberals & media people. MSNBC host: "That's a brave thing to say." No, that's an insane, dangerous, false thing to say.pic.twitter.com/GI0B5c0nDS — Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) February 23, 2019

Wow @MichaelSteele, you really took TDS to the next level. Despicable. — REALLY!?! ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@OscarGaldona) February 23, 2019

Hate destroys a person's humanity. — Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) February 23, 2019

It’s a reprehensible thing to say, especially for a so-called “news journalist” on national tv. He is the living example of why we have the Jussie’s. Purposely creating and inciting division and false narratives. It’s horrific — CommonCensors (@CommonCensors) February 23, 2019

Really unbelievable that this guy used to chair the RNC https://t.co/EpFilIFPyg — Amber Athey (@amber_athey) February 23, 2019

Sorry..It’s totally believable.#GOP – Genuflecting Or Prostrate — Anita Miller ❌ (@FoxNewsMom) February 23, 2019

Even Nicole Wallace was like “hold up here..” and she has a pretty heavy TDS meltdown highlight reel herself. — Rick Blaine (@RickBlaine718) February 23, 2019

This is why we have Trump. — Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) February 23, 2019

If it wasn’t for Trump upending the corrupt establishment, RINOs like Michael Steele would still be in charge of the GOP. — Illoominati (@OrenBalaban) February 23, 2019

For the record, Trump did say what Hasson was planning was “a shame,” though reporters pressed him to admit that his rhetoric was in some way responsible for inspiring Hasson, so no bias there.

So let’s get this straight: the press wants President Trump to assume some of the blame for a white supremacist whack job plotting a terrorist attack, but they’ve lost all interest in Gov. Ralph Northam, who likely wore either a Klan robe or blackface and is now on a statewide “reconciliation tour” to make up for his “gaffes.”

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