Fact Check: Is Steve Schmidt a Con?
What We Know
Steve Schmidt is a prominent political strategist and co-founder of the Lincoln Project, a group formed to oppose Donald Trump and his policies. Recently, he resigned from the board of the Lincoln Project amid allegations of mishandling sexual harassment claims against another co-founder, John Weaver. Schmidt's resignation followed a series of controversies that included accusations from former employees that the organization failed to act on known allegations of Weaver's misconduct, which involved sending unsolicited sexual messages to young men, including minors (New York Times, The Guardian).
In his resignation statement, Schmidt disclosed that he had been sexually abused as a teenager, which he cited as part of his emotional response to the situation surrounding Weaver. He claimed he was unaware of Weaver's behavior until recently, although some former employees allege that he was informed of the allegations as early as October 2020 (Washington Post, Forbes). The Lincoln Project has faced significant backlash, including resignations from other key figures, and has committed to hiring an outside investigator to review the situation (CBS News, Daily Beast).
Analysis
The claim that "Steve Schmidt is a con" lacks concrete evidence and is primarily based on the turmoil surrounding the Lincoln Project and Schmidt's alleged knowledge of Weaver's misconduct. While Schmidt's resignation and the surrounding allegations raise questions about his leadership and the organization's internal governance, the term "con" implies deceit or fraudulent behavior, which is not substantiated by the available evidence.
The sources reporting on Schmidt's resignation are reputable news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. These outlets provide detailed accounts of the events leading to Schmidt's resignation and the allegations against Weaver. However, the reliability of the claims about Schmidt's knowledge of Weaver's behavior comes from unnamed sources and former employees, which can introduce bias or inaccuracies. The former employees' statements indicate a serious concern about the organization's handling of the allegations, but they do not definitively prove Schmidt's culpability or intent to deceive.
Moreover, Schmidt's public disclosure of his own traumatic experiences suggests a complex personal narrative that complicates the characterization of him as merely a "con." His actions in response to the allegations, including stepping down to allow for new leadership, indicate a level of accountability rather than deceit (Lincoln Project, Washington Examiner).
Conclusion
The claim that "Steve Schmidt is a con" remains Unverified. While there are serious allegations regarding his leadership and the handling of misconduct within the Lincoln Project, the evidence does not conclusively support the assertion of deceit or fraud on his part. The situation is complicated by emotional and personal factors, and the ongoing investigations may provide further clarity in the future.
Sources
- Lincoln Project Co-Founder Steve Schmidt Resigns
- Steve Schmidt
- Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt resigns from ...
- Lincoln Project: Steve Schmidt resigns from group hit by ...
- Lincoln Project Cofounder Steve Schmidt Resigns After ...
- Lincoln Project Co-Founder Steve Schmidt Steps Down Amid Scandal
- Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt resigns from ...
- Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt resigns as group's ...
