Did the FBI tip off CNN about the impending arrest of longtime Trump associate Roger Stone?
That’s the big question on social media now after Stone was taken into federal custody early Friday morning at his Ft. Lauderdale, Florida home.
According to CNN, who was the only news crew on scene, federal agents – with guns locked and loaded – knocked on Stone’s door and soon after took him into custody. A producer with CNN, who admitted they were the only crew on scene, waited for several hours before the arrest actually happened.
CNN producer @davidgshortell describes the moment Roger Stone was taken into custody by the FBI. The longtime Donald Trump associate has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller https://t.co/wUJEIkKDTw pic.twitter.com/AJ3JWWSHs3
— CNN (@CNN) January 25, 2019
Being the only news crew on scene, CNN was of course the only one to have video of the FBI at Stone’s residence. However, now the big question now, that is lighting up social media is did the FBI tip off CNN about Stone’s arrest?
Well, it depends on who you ask, depending on what side of the political aisle they fall on.
Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019
CNN cameras were at the raid of Roger Stone…so FBI obviously tipped off CNN…even if you don’t like Stone, it is curious why Mueller’s office tipped off CNN instead of trying to quietly arrest Stone;quiet arrests are more likely to be safe to the FBI and the person arrested
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) January 25, 2019
The @FBI arrest of Roger Stone at dawn, with dozens of helmeted agents, brandishing weapons, was totally unnecessary. Treated him like El Chapo. Political motives clear w/ @CNN tip-off.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 25, 2019
Can someone please explain how CNN knew to be setup outside of Roger Stone’s house before the FBI showed up? Seems like a problem that needs to be addressed.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 25, 2019
Good reporting, Mr. President. That’s what put our team there. https://t.co/SSISXO8v8w
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 25, 2019
For everyone asking if CNN was "tipped off" to the Stone arrest pic.twitter.com/S8eqKV9HfA
— Nick Riccardi (@NickRiccardi) January 25, 2019
And there it is, the birth of a conspiracy theory.@Greta tweets that Mueller told CNN about Roger Stone arrest without evidence. CNN says they staked Roger Stone’s house. She “corrects” herself but keeps tweet up (8400 RTs and counting!)
Trump tweets about CNN. pic.twitter.com/6g1t4GNOy2
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) January 25, 2019