Republican senator floats using violence against journalists who report 'fake news'
Markwayne Mullin recounted how a reporter fatally shot a former congressman in 1890, adding there might be less "fake news ... if we could still handle our differences that way."
WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., suggested on X this weekend that journalists would write "less false stories" if violence were still used to handle disputes.
In the video, posted early Saturday, Mullin is in the Capitol and recounts how a reporter shot and killed Rep. William Taulbee there in 1890, a year after Taulbee left office.
"There's a lot we can say about reporters of the stories they write, but I bet they would write a lot less false stories — as President Trump says, 'fake news' — if we could still handle our differences that way," Mullin says.
After The Oklahoman published a story about his comments, Mullin criticized the publication on X and indicated he had been joking.
"While you’re at it, don’t forget I also JOKED about bringing back caning to settle political disputes," Mullin wrote. "Thanks for watching my videos."
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