Senator Eric Schmitt’s Attempt to Question Jack Smith Over Basketball Game Backfires
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Schmitt accused Smith of attending an Atlanta Hawks game, a claim later shown to be incorrect.
By Felo News Desk · Published
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, 26 September 2026, Senator Eric Schmitt attempted to confront former Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith about a supposed attendance at an Atlanta Hawks game. The claim was later shown to be false, as Smith had attended an Iowa Hawkeyes game that same day.
What happened
Schmitt, a Republican known for his loyalty to former President Donald Trump, asked Smith if he had attended an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on 3 February 2024. Schmitt believed he had text messages from Smith’s staff that referenced a Hawks game, which he interpreted as proof of Smith’s presence in Atlanta. However, the texts actually referred to an Iowa Hawkeyes college football game against Maryland, not an NBA match. The Judiciary Committee later confirmed that Smith had not been at the Hawks game.
What the reports add
Both Rolling Stone reports describe the same sequence of events. The first article notes that Schmitt’s “proof” was a series of text messages from Smith’s staff that referenced a basketball game, while the second article specifies that the game was an Iowa Hawkeyes match against Maryland. Neither source reports any statements from Smith or his staff about the misunderstanding.
What was said
Schmitt asked, “Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks on February 3, 2024?” as he tried to corner Smith. The question was reported by Rolling Stone, but no direct quote from Smith is available in the sources.
How it came about
The hearing was part of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s review of Smith’s role in investigating former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Schmitt’s question was aimed at linking Smith to alleged collusion with Georgia officials involved in the investigation. The incident reflects the broader partisan tensions surrounding the committee’s work.
Key facts
- Senator Eric Schmitt asked Jack Smith about an Atlanta Hawks game on 3 February 2024 (rollingstone.com)
- The claim was based on text messages from Smith’s staff that actually referenced an Iowa Hawkeyes game (rollingstone.com)
- The Senate Judiciary Committee later confirmed Smith had not attended the Hawks game (rollingstone.com)
Background
<a href="/news/trump-white-house-press-corps-state-controlled-media">Trump’s Media Access Shift</a>
Why it matters
The incident highlights the partisan atmosphere of the committee’s work and the potential for misinformation to influence public perception.
What happens next
No further actions have been announced by the committee or by either senator.
