Seth Rich Image by Facebook

By Dave Goldiner May 21, 2017

Newt Gingrich parroted far right wing conspiracy theories about the unsolved murder of Democratic staffer Seth Rich — as allies of President Trump sought to use the puzzling case to shift attention from the burgeoning investigation of potential ties to Russia.

Without offering any evidence, the GOP mouthpiece told Fox News that Rich was “assassinated” after he became disillusioned with the Democrats and sent thousands of emails to Wikileaks.

“This young man … was assassinated at 4 in the morning, having given WikiLeaks something like 53,000 emails and 17,000 attachments,” Gingrich said. “Nobody’s investigating that, and what does that tell you about what’s going on?”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Gingrich’s broadside appears to be part of a wider GOP campaign to use the Rich murder to suggest that Trump’s campaign was in no way responsible for the Russian hack of the Democratic National Committee.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is now investigating whether Trump or any of his associates colluded with the Russians or obstructed other probes into those allegations.

“(Rich) was disgusted by the corruption of the Democratic National Committee,” Gingrich said. “He’s been killed, and apparently nothing serious has been done to investigative his murder.”

Rich’s parents have denounced the conspiracy theories surrounding his murder near his Washington D.C. home last July.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount