January 1, ‘Alex Jones Territory’: Reporter Grills Top Biden Official Over Russia Allegations [Video]

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State Department spokesperson Ned Price had a heated exchange with a reporter when pressed for evidence of the Biden administration’s repeated claim that Russia plans to stage an elaborate propaganda video to justify a war with Ukraine.

The Biden administration has publicly accused Russia of planning a “fabricated attack” by Ukrainian forces, including a propaganda video” showing Russian casualties and fake mourners,” as a pretext to invade Ukraine.

“Russia plans to stage fabricated attacks by Ukrainian military or intelligence forces as a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine,” Price said during a press briefing.

“One possible option the Russians are considering, and which we made public today, involves the production of a propaganda video with graphic scenes of false explosions depicting corpses, crisis actors pretending to be mourners, and images of destroyed locations or military equipment entirely fabricated by Russian intelligence.”

Associated Press reporter Matt Lee pressed Price for evidence of the allegation against Russia, resulting in a heated exchange between the two.

“It’s an action that you say they have taken, but you have shown no evidence to confirm that,” Lee said.

LEE: "This is like — crisis actors? Really? This is like Alex Jones territory you’re getting into now. What evidence do you have to support the idea that there is some propaganda film in the making?"

PRICE: "Matt, this is derived from information known to the U.S. government, intelligence information that we have declassified. I think you know —"

LEE: "Where is it? Where is this information?"

PRICE: "It is intelligence information that we have declassified."

LEE: "Well, where is it? Where is the declassified information?"

PRICE: "I just delivered it."

LEE: "No, you made a series of allegations and statements —"

Price then interjected, offering to provide Lee with a transcript of the briefing.

“That’s not evidence, Ned,” Lee said. “That’s you saying it. That’s not evidence. I’m sorry.”

Price then scoffed. “What would you like, Matt?”

Lee then reiterated his request for evidence that shows Russia is planning to create such a video. The exchange continued for a few more minutes with the pair talking over each other in raised voices.

“If you doubt the credibility of the U.S. government, of the British government, of other governments and want to, you know, find solace in information that the Russians are putting out, that is for you to do,” Price told Lee.

Video of the exchange was widely viewed and shared on social media.

“Journalists get a lot of criticism, deservedly so. But [Matt Lee] is the purest kind of journalist in the best sense of the term,” journalist Glenn Greenwald tweeted.

“He does this to all State Dept spokespeople and has for years: demands evidence, challenges dubious claims, refuses to be propagandized.”

Journalists get a lot of criticism, deservedly so. But @APDiploWriter is the purest kind of journalist in the best sense of the term. He does this to all State Dept spokespeople and has for years: demands evidence, challenges dubious claims, refuses to be propagandized. Watch: https://t.co/pmf8a4IRCX

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 3, 2022

“This is wild,” Edward Snowden wrote on Twitter.

“The State Department’s spokesman can’t comprehend why the Associated Press feels the need to distinguish between a claim and a fact, and becomes visibly offended—and then angered—by the suggestion that his claims may require evidence to be accepted as credible.

This is wild.

The State Department's spokesman can't comprehend why the Associated Press feels the need to distinguish between a claim and a fact, and becomes visibly offended—and then angered—by the suggestion that his claims may require evidence to be accepted as credible. https://t.co/O9ALBHMCSE

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) February 3, 2022

I wonder why anyone would doubt the credibility of the US government🤔 https://t.co/r9sx00qefp pic.twitter.com/JuNC6s8Ed1

— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) February 3, 2022

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Source:

AP reporter confronts Biden spokesperson over Russia allegations