Fox News Accuses Hillary Clinton Of Faking Concussion

MELODY JOHNSON & CHELSEA RUDMAN/Media Matters For America:

Fox News figures accused Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of faking an illness when she suffered a concussion after fainting due to dehydration. The State Department has criticized Fox News contributor John Bolton for engaging in "wild speculation based on no information."

Clinton Suffers Concussion After Fainting Due To Illness

Wash. Post: "clinton Sustained A Concussion After Fainting From Dehydration At Her Home Early Last Week." From The Washington Post:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sustained a concussion after fainting from dehydration at her home early last week, her office disclosed Saturday.

Clinton, 65, has been suffering from a stomach virus and had to cancel a trip to Morocco and the Persian Gulf on Monday.

Philippe Reines, a State Department spokesman, said Clinton became dehydrated because of the virus and fainted, sustaining the concussion. He said she has been under the care of doctors.

"At their recommendation, she will continue to work from home next week, staying in regular contact with department and other officials," Reines said in a statement. "She is looking forward to being back in the office soon." [The Washington Post, 12/15/12]

Reuters: Clinton's Testimony About Attack On Benghazi Compound Postponed Following Concussion.From Reuters:

Clinton had been expected to testify on December 20 before the House of Representatives and Senate foreign affairs committees on a report on the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans and raised questions about security at far-flung posts.

Jodi Seth, a spokeswoman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee head John Kerry, said that given her condition, Clinton's testimony would be postponed, but did not say until when. Seth said the planned hearings would be held with other senior officials appearing in Clinton's place. [Reuters, 12/15/12]

"Diplomatic Illness": Fox Figures Accuse Clinton Of Faking Concussion

Fox's Bolton Suggests Clinton Is Faking "Diplomatic Illness" To Avoid Testifying About Benghazi.During the December 17 edition of Fox News' On the Record, Fox News contributor John Bolton told host Greta van Susteren that when foreign service officers "don't want to go to a meeting or conference or event," they have "a diplomatic illness. And this is a diplomatic illness to beat the band." He continued:

BOLTON: I mean, I certainly hope it's nothing serious. But this was revealed in a way that I think was not transparent, and I think there is an obligation here, especially if Secretary Clinton decides to run for president, to indicate what happened. She may beat testifying this week, but she's not going to escape it forever.

Van Susteren noted after Bolton spoke that "it has been reported prior to the concussion that she had the flu. ... She reported that she was dehydrated, and if you fall and hit your head and get a concussion, that is a brain injury." [Fox News, On the Record, 12/17/12]

Fox's Crowley: Clinton's Illness Had "Apparently Impeccable Timing." During the December 17 edition ofAmerica Live, Fox News contributor Monica Crowley discussed Clinton's illness with host Megyn Kelly. Kelly asked Crowley, "What's really going on? I mean, she fainted sometime last week and can't show up this Thursday for a previously scheduled testimony? I mean, there was speculation, I want all the viewers to know, about whether she'd really go" to the Benghazi hearing even before her illness. Kelly then said, "I'm not suggesting she didn't get a concussion. But there is a legitimate question about, is -- do we believe this is an excuse and that she really will show up to testify?" Crowley responded by referring to Clinton's illness as "this virus with apparently impeccable timing." [Fox News, America Live, 12/17/12]

State Dept. On Bolton's Claims: "Completely Untrue"

Politico: "State Dept. Slams Bolton For Claiming Clinton Faked Illness." Politico reported on December 18 that State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters that Bolton's suggestion is "completely untrue." The Politico article continued:

"I can't speak to his personal motivation," she said. "I can assure you that he's not privy to any inside information."

Nulan added that Bolton and others who have questioned Clinton's illness "are people who don't know what they're talking about."

"It's really unfortunate that in times like this people make wild speculation based on no information," she said. [Politico, 12/18/12]