Conservative media decry Capitol riot, but grievances remain

NEW YORK (AP) — Media outlets that appeal to conservatives offered condemnations, explanations and deflections following the U.S. Capitol riot by President Donald Trump's supporters, but little introspection.

Dealing with the shocking breach of the national landmark was a complex task for outlets aimed at Trump's base, many of whom are suspicious of more mainstream news sources. Most were clear: the violence was indefensible.

“No one should defend it or even attempt to excuse it under the guise of ‘hey, this is what you get when people get really mad,’” wrote Mark Davis in a story headlined “A Day of Rage, A Day of Shame” on the Town Hall web site.

Still, Davis wrote that “the indefensible behavior of the rioters does not erase the righteous grievance of millions of Americans who have lost faith in an election system cast to the winds of political opportunism.”

Similarly, Fox News Channel's Tucker Carlson said that voting is democracy's pressure relief valve but trouble ensues when people lose faith in the act.

“Millions of Americans sincerely believe the last election was fake,” Carlson said. “You can dismiss them as crazy, you can call them conspiracy theorists, you can kick them off Twitter, but that won't change their minds.”

Opponents would rather silence these people — many of whom have made Carlson television's top-rated political opinion host — than understand them, he said.

“It's not your fault,” he said. “It's their fault.”

There was little talk, though, about how none of the allegations of widespread voter fraud have been found true. To the contrary, Red State's Mike Ford said it was “not even debatable" that November's presidential election was stolen from President Donald Trump.

Results were certified in all 50...