Donald Trump's campaign and some conservative media are under fire Thursday for focusing on a potential hearing device nestled in Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's ear during a Wednesday TV forum on national security and defense policy, but the media cheered reports that former President George W. Bush allegedly wore a listening device during a 2004 debate with Democrat John Kerry.

"Was President Bush literally channeling Karl Rove in his first debate with John Kerry?" asked Salon.

HILLARY AND THE EAR PEARL https://t.co/3qnwVelgp5 — DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) September 8, 2016



In another Salon article, a NASA scientist was quoted as having spent hours investigating photos of the former president before claiming, "I am willing to stake my scientific reputation to the statement that Bush was wearing something under his jacket during the debate. This is not about a bad suit. And there's no way the bulge can be described as a wrinkled shirt."

The Washington Post and the New York Times focused on it and one media group alleged that the Times killed a story confirming the Bush listening device out of worry that it would throw the election.

Was Hillary Wearing an Earpiece During Last Night’s Presidential Forum? https://t.co/wAvCFY5ANP via @realalexjones — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 8, 2016



The story, said Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, was set to expose "how George W. Bush had worn an electronic cueing device in his ear and probably cheated during the presidential debates."

The campaign at the time shrugged off the conspiracy as simply a poorly tailored shirt worn under his jacket during the debate.

The InfoWars report about Clinton's device, touted by Trump's son and played big on the Drudge Report, have been slammed — or ignored — in the mainstream media.

"Theory," tweeted one reporter. "Ridiculous," another.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com