OAN Host Calls for Execution of "Traitors"
The Claim
One America News Network host Pearson Sharp never suggested that anyone should be executed.
News posted on
Emerging story
In late June 2021, the claim that Sharp said that traitors should be executed went viral.
Many pointed out that Sharp later tried to deny making the statement.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that, while talking about election fraud claims, Sharp said: “What are the consequences for traitors who meddled with our sacred democratic process and tried to steal power by taking away the voices of the American people? What happens to them? Well, in the past, America had a very good solution for dealing with such traitors: execution.”
In a later letter to Talking Points Memo, he said: “No, neither myself, nor OAN is ‘embracing executing thousands of people.’ OAN is simply pointing out that if election fraud is proven, then it could very well constitute treason. And according to our laws, treason is punishable by death. If it is found that government officials coordinated with foreign countries to overthrow the election, then that would be the very definition of treason. Which, according to our nation’s laws, could result in execution.”
However, this later statement goes directly against what Sharp said in the news clip. While it could be argued that he was perhaps being facetious or hyperbolic, Sharp has made many election fraud claims before, some of which are believed to have led to the insurrection at the Capitol.
