Former data scientist Rebekah Jones given media praise for now-debunked claims

Although her claims have been debunked, do not blame former Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones alone for her actions. That is far too simple an analysis. She merely followed the media’s Rule No. 1, which is that any well-timed smear against a prominent Republican will receive, with no real investigation, vast media approval and publicity.

Jones expected that her smear would receive the same type of publicity and adulation as did earlier applications of Rule #1 by the likes of Christopher Steele, author of the fictitious Steele dossier; Michael Avenatti; Michael Cohen and others to numerous to note. Jones was right.

Jones’ timing was impeccable. It was July of 2020. The media and the Democrats were enthralled by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and were searching for a way to destroy Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis was, after all, in the midst of keeping Florida schools and businesses open.

When Jones was fired by the Florida Department of Health, she alleged that she was fired in retaliation for refusing to falsify COVID data. That was a damning accusation, designed to smear DeSantis. The Democrats knew that attacking him for his record of job creation, low unemployment, keeping schools open and safe, low crime, low taxes and integrity would be a tough sell. A diversion from substantive issues would do and she provided one.

A NPR story was headlined, “Florida Dismisses A Scientist For Her Refusal to Manipulate State’s Coronavirus Data.” From May 2020 to December 2020, Jones made at least nine separate appearances on CNN. CNN star Chris Cuomo had her as a guest five times.

Outlets such as MSNBC, the Miami Herald, the Washington Post and NBC News helped build Jones’ image. She received a rapturous profile in Cosmopolitan headlined, "Rebekah Jones Tried to Warn Us About COVID-19. Now Her Freedom Is on the Line." Fortune Magazine recognized her as one of their “40 under 40” notables. Forbes named her “Technology Person of the Year.”

If Jones' goal was to smear DeSantis and try to damage him politically, he won. She got glowing coverage from the media that a publicist for the Democratic National Committee could only dream about. However, do not give her too much credit — remember, she only used rule No. 1.

DeSantis took the right and ethical action and referred Jones' complaint to the Florida Department of Health's Office of the Inspector General, which conducted an investigation of the facts and circumstances. The office issued a report, dated March 9, which will receive as much coverage in the liberal media as the attempt to murder Justice Brett Kavanaugh or the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop.

As to allegations that she was directed or pressured to falsify COVID positivity rates, the allegations were found to be “unsubstantiated.” Her allegation that the calculation of new case positivity was misrepresented was found to have “not occurred.” As to the allegation that Jones was restricted in access to underling data that supported what appeared on the dashboard, the defendants were “exonerated.”

However, Jones' moment in the sun is not done — far, far from it, and this is hilarious. She has announced that she is running for Congress against Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz is an outspoken conservative Republican and the media has been running with stories about his impending indictment, for sexual offenses, for years and yet no indictment or charge has been issued. Whenever a witness is called, be it an ex-partner or girlfriend, Rule #1 cranks in and the smear campaign of innuendos and speculation comes alive.

Ever wonder about why so many do not trust the media to be fair and balanced? Compare the treatment of the Jones smear to how effectively the media throttled the ability of the American voters to learn, before they voted, about the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop. The bias was clear.

More from Edward B. Harmon:

Let’s move toward efficiency, transparency and accountability by selling GRU

Gainesville residents need to step outside the liberal echo chamber

A response to President Biden's question, 'What are Republicans for?'

The New York Post story was ignored — no massive publicity here. The sharing of this story, which turns out to be 100% accurate, was silenced by Facebook and Twitter. This story was treated as “Russian disinformation” and a GOP smear and kept from the American people.

If that story had been about a GOP candidate, any GOP candidate, or any of their family members, Rule #1 would have been applied with full force.

Edward B. Harmon is a retired mergers and acquisitions attorney and adjunct law school professor. He lives in Gainesville and is a monthly contributor to The Sun. 

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Edward B. Harmon: Media spread debunked smear about Gov. Ron DeSantis