Newly declassified intelligence has raised fresh questions about the longstanding narrative that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to assist Donald Trump’s candidacy.
The revelations were discussed during a heated segment Thursday night on Fox News’ “The Five,” as panelists debated the origins and credibility of the Russia collusion claims.
The discussion intensified after co-host Jesse Watters questioned fellow panelist Jessica Tarlov about the recently released documents declassified by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Watters asked whether Tarlov was aware that the documents showed Putin did not favor a specific U.S. candidate and that there was no evidence Russia committed substantial resources to support Trump during the 2016 race.
Tarlov rejected Watters’ characterization, insisting the narrative that Russia acted to help Trump was accurate.
The disagreement escalated as panelists referred to details in the declassified findings, which suggest the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) issued in the final days of the Obama administration may have been based on limited and speculative information.
Jessica Tarlov flips out on Jesse Watters and Kellyanne Conway over Russiagate intel report. pic.twitter.com/00mNyYpf1Y
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) July 25, 2025
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According to a report by RealClearInvestigations journalist Paul Sperry, the Obama administration’s conclusion that Putin sought to help Trump relied heavily on a “scant, unclear and unverifiable fragment of a sentence” from one of several intelligence reports.
BREAKING: Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe blocked House Intel Committee investigators from interviewing the FBI analysts who supported Brennan’s “fusion cell” and his drafters of the ICA. At least 30 FBI employees associated with the dossier were gagged from speaking to staff.
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) July 25, 2025
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The report had remained classified until recently and was housed in a CIA vault.
DEVELOPING: The 46-page HPSCI report shredding Brennan’s dossier-backed ICA ordered by Obama was so devastating, so damning, that the CIA aggressively obstructed committee investigators, even sabotaging their computers and possibly spying on staffers. HPSCI is weighing referrals.
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) July 25, 2025
Despite its questionable origin, former CIA Director John Brennan reportedly directed agency analysts to include the fragment in the 2017 ICA, which assessed Russia’s intentions in the 2016 election.
NEW: When senior CIA officers specializing in Russia analysis confronted Brennan w/ the Steele dossier’s many flaws during a Dec 2016 meeting at Langley, Brennan agreed, but wanted to still keep it in the ICA b/c it SOUNDED true. “Yes, but doesn’t it ring true?” Brennan responded
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) July 25, 2025
NEW: DNI Tulsi Gabbard said John Brennan “knowingly used false intelligence” to undermine the legitimacy of President-elect Trump and “subvert the will” of the American electorate. Defrauding the government — in this case the U.S. intelligence services — is a federal crime.
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) July 25, 2025
The ICA itself acknowledged that the source’s information lacked clarity regarding how it was obtained.
A newly released 46-page report from the House of Representatives, made public on Wednesday, examined the intelligence trail behind the claim.
The report states that the source of the key claim—believed to be a Russian defector residing in Northern Virginia who reportedly held anti-Trump views—was merely speculating about something he had heard from another individual.
That speculation suggested Putin was “counting on” Trump to win the election.
The report notes that the judgment about Putin’s supposed preference for Trump rests entirely on Brennan’s interpretation of the single fragment from the defector.
“The ICA judgment on Putin’s thoughts about helping candidate Trump does not stand if [Brennan’s] single interpretation of the fragment [from the tip that Putin was ‘counting on’ Trump winning] is wrong, because there is no other intelligence corroborating it,” the House report concluded.
These findings reignited debate over the integrity of the intelligence process that formed the basis for years of investigation and media coverage surrounding the Russia-Trump narrative.
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The documents also suggest that the Intelligence Community’s assertion regarding Putin’s intentions lacked direct evidence and relied on secondhand or speculative sourcing.
The release of these materials has prompted calls from some within the Republican Party for accountability.
Lawmakers are now weighing whether to pursue investigations or legal actions against individuals involved in crafting or promoting the now-debunked intelligence conclusions.
The new disclosures underscore the role played by senior Obama administration officials in shaping the narrative around Russian interference.
As scrutiny turns toward those involved in authoring and disseminating the ICA, questions remain about the potential for further action, including whether any warrants or formal inquiries will follow.
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The crux of the hoax was that not only did #1) Putin prefer Trump and act accordingly, but that #2) Trump actively colluded with Putin and Russia, Russia, Russia to help him. The recent documented revelations disprove #1 and show there was never anything approaching #2. It was all an historically massive lie.
And culpable !!
Kind of bait-and-switch article, yes? “Click-bait” is the correct term, I believe. “Liberal Fox News Host Exposed“ ends up being an actual liberal, hired specifically to be a liberal on a roundtable-style show—where’s the “exposed” part. Tarlov’s role is to be exactly who she is: a loud-mouthed, ill-informed, fact-twisting liberal who espouses pre-generated, DNC officially-approved talking points.
With that said, I like Tarlov (on the show) more than Harold Ford, Jr. (I think Ford is a much nicer person in real life, than Tarlov). Ford, as the token liberal on the panel, is too much of a politician. I often fast-forward through his commentary, as it is usually void of substance and waivers on the fence without taking a clearly-defined position—exactly what a politician is supposed to do.
Tarlov (accidentally) at least gets more facts and data out by having the other panelists quickly and correctly refute her DNC rhetoric. Watters loves teasing her, but I wish he had more substance to his rebuttals—similar to Gutfeld. Gutfeld often rips into Tarlov, citing her/DNC incorrect data, short-sightedness, and dichotomy (Gutfeld’s “prison of two ideas”).
What I think is really fun to watch is when former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is filling in for another host. Apparently, McEnany and Tarlov do not get along with each other in real life. The loathing for each other is very apparent on screen. ;)
Tarlov is a bum. Reminds of children who believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy.
Belief in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and our lovely Tooth Fairy comes from childish innocence – something I would not ever consider accusing Tarlov of ! ;)
If I was the producer of The Five I would give Tarlov a pink slip and find a replacement Liberal voice with similar temperment of Harold Ford Jr. He routinely presents his point of view on issues without losing his cool or being offensive.
Accountability, accountability, accountability ! Establish “MENS REA” and then prosecute all the way to Mars if needed ! This disgusting high-handed refusal to accept personal accountability extends like a cancer throughout the whole of the Leftist Media and Democrat Party.
Do the CRIME – Do the TIME – comes to mind !