The Dispute Index

Did Jack Smith Attend the Warriors-Hawks Game Eric Schmitt Asked About?

At a September 29 Senate hearing, Sen. Eric Schmitt asked Jack Smith whether he attended a February 2024 Atlanta Hawks game, in questions about Fani Willis. Smith said no and recalled a Maryland-Iowa game; Klobuchar said Schmitt had the teams wrong.

BackgroundWhat was Arctic Frost?

Sen. Eric Schmitt asks former special counsel Jack Smith about an NBA game in Atlanta, Smith answers, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar responds, at the Senate Judiciary Committee's Sept. 29, 2026 hearing.

Excerpt from about 1:50:45 to 1:57:57 of the Senate Judiciary Committee's archived video of the hearing. The C-SPAN recording cited for this source shows the same exchange. DI added its logo in the corner.

Video: U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)

Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Clip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.)

Case period:

Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated

Jack SmithEric SchmittAmy Klobuchar
Government TransparencyU.S. Politics

Overview

At a September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his conduct as special counsel, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) asked former special counsel Jack Smith, "Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024?" Schmitt described the date as the day after Fani Willis and Nathan Wade "announced their affair," displayed a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team, and said, "I think you've already perjured yourself." Smith said he definitely did not go to a Hawks game and had no recollection of going to Atlanta. He later said that, if the poster referred to the correct game, he recalled attending a University of Maryland basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing around that time, and that the date could be checked. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said Schmitt had the teams wrong and, at the end of her questioning time, that the accusation deserved an apology. Schmitt said "I stand by that statement" without specifying which statement, and told NBC News after the hearing that whether Smith perjured himself would be "up to a prosecutor to determine." The dispute is whether Smith attended the game Schmitt named.

Background: What was Arctic Frost?
Read the full background

This case is limited to one factual question: did Jack Smith attend the Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024 that Sen. Eric Schmitt asked him about? It does not cover whether Smith's prosecutions of Donald Trump were proper, whether Smith targeted Republicans, or the wider claims made across the September 29, 2026 hearing, titled "Oversight of Jack Smith's Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters (opens in a new tab)," before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In C-SPAN's clip of the exchange (opens in a new tab), Schmitt asks Smith, "Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024?" and later tells him it was the day after Fani Willis and Nathan Wade "announced their affair." Smith answers "No," says he has no recollection of it, says he does not believe he was in Atlanta the next day, and adds, "I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that." Asked whether he ever met Wade or Willis while special counsel, Smith says no. Schmitt then describes a series of text messages from Smith's team, displays a poster of them, says "I think you've already perjured yourself," and later says the messages concerned Smith wanting to meet with people connected to a prosecution Schmitt said was coordinated with an office in Atlanta. Klobuchar says the senators could not see what the poster said. As of September 29, 2026, we could not locate the text messages Schmitt displayed.

When Klobuchar asked that Smith be allowed to see the poster, Smith said that, if it referred to the correct game, he recalled going to "a University of Maryland basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing right around that time," that it was Maryland playing Iowa in February 2024, and that the date could be checked. The only evidence we found that Smith attended a game that day is his own hedged testimony. Both games were played on the date Schmitt named: ESPN lists (opens in a new tab) Iowa's 93-85 win over Maryland at the Xfinity Center in College Park on February 3, 2024, and Basketball-Reference lists (opens in a new tab) a Warriors-Hawks game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta that day, which the Hawks won 141-134 in overtime.

Klobuchar asked whether the confusion could be over Iowa's Hawkeyes and, according to NBC News (opens in a new tab), said, "That might be the confusion over the names of the team." She later said people should have their facts straight before accusing someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong; Schmitt answered, "I stand by that statement," without saying which statement. At the end of her questioning time, Klobuchar said, according to NBC News and Raw Story (opens in a new tab), that for a senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team, that Smith was in another city and involved in events in Georgia, and then call him a dirtbag, "is something that deserves an apology." Asked outside the hearing room whether he still thought Smith had perjured himself after learning the details of the game, Schmitt told NBC News, "We'll find out. That's going to be up to a prosecutor to determine. My job here today was to ask questions and get answers." As of the evening of September 29, 2026, we did not locate a statement from Schmitt or his office that addressed the team names.

People in this case

Timeline

8 timeline entries on this page. Dates: February 3, 2024 to October 7, 2026

  1. February 2024

    1. Iowa beats Maryland in College Park while the Hawks host the Warriors in Atlanta

      Incident

      On February 3, 2024, Iowa beat Maryland 93-85 in a women's basketball game at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, with Caitlin Clark scoring 38 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Golden State Warriors 141-134 in overtime at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Smith later told the Senate Judiciary Committee he recalled attending a Maryland game where Clark was playing around that time and said he did not go to a Hawks game.

      [01]Iowa 93-85 Maryland (Feb 3, 2024) Final Score - ESPN

      ESPN game page for the Iowa-Maryland women's basketball game played February 3, 2024 at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland.

      Iowa 93-85 Maryland (Feb 3, 2024) Final Score - ESPNGame page: final score, venue and player statistics
      [02]Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, February 3, 2024

      Basketball-Reference box score for the Warriors-Hawks NBA game played February 3, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

      Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, February 3, 2024Box score: date, arena and final score
      [03]C-SPAN

      Source excerpt

      Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024? ... I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that. ... It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think, February of 2024. ... I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. ... You had the teams wrong, sir.

      C-SPAN video clip of the September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at which Jack Smith testified. The clip covers Sen. Eric Schmitt's questions about Smith's attendance at a February 3, 2024 basketball game, Smith's denial and later clarification, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar's real-time correction. DI reviewed the audio directly to verify the exact wording of this exchange rather than relying on news paraphrase.

      Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

  2. September 2026

    1. Schmitt discusses his questioning in a post-hearing interview

      Reaction

      Schmitt tells Front Office Sports that he did not confuse the Hawks and Hawkeyes. He says he asked whether Smith was in Atlanta and acknowledges that Smith testified he was elsewhere. The interview took place September 29 and was reported September 30.

      [04]Sen. Eric Schmitt Doubles Down After Viral Hawks Flub

      Front Office Sports reports its interview with Schmitt on Tuesday night, September 29. The article was published September 30 and distinguishes his explanation from the hearing exchange.

      Sen. Eric Schmitt Doubles Down After Viral Hawks FlubInterview passage beginning There was no confusion between Hawkeyes and Hawk, followed by His full explanation.

    2. Schmitt asks Smith about a Warriors-Hawks game in Atlanta

      Claim

      Sen. Eric Schmitt asked Smith, "Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024?" Smith said no and that he had no recollection of it. Schmitt then displayed a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team and said, "I think you've already perjured yourself."

      [03]C-SPAN

      Source excerpt

      Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024? ... I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that. ... It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think, February of 2024. ... I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. ... You had the teams wrong, sir.

      C-SPAN video clip of the September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at which Jack Smith testified. The clip covers Sen. Eric Schmitt's questions about Smith's attendance at a February 3, 2024 basketball game, Smith's denial and later clarification, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar's real-time correction. DI reviewed the audio directly to verify the exact wording of this exchange rather than relying on news paraphrase.

      Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    3. Smith says he recalls a Maryland game where Caitlin Clark played

      Claim

      When Klobuchar asked that Smith be allowed to see the poster, Smith said that, if it referred to the correct game, he recalled attending a University of Maryland basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing around that time, with the Marshals Service present, and said the date could be checked.

      [03]C-SPAN

      Source excerpt

      Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024? ... I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that. ... It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think, February of 2024. ... I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. ... You had the teams wrong, sir.

      C-SPAN video clip of the September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at which Jack Smith testified. The clip covers Sen. Eric Schmitt's questions about Smith's attendance at a February 3, 2024 basketball game, Smith's denial and later clarification, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar's real-time correction. DI reviewed the audio directly to verify the exact wording of this exchange rather than relying on news paraphrase.

      Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    4. Klobuchar says Schmitt had the teams wrong; Schmitt says he stands by a statement

      Reaction

      Sen. Amy Klobuchar said people should have their facts straight before accusing someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. Schmitt responded, "I stand by that statement," without saying which statement.

      [03]C-SPAN

      Source excerpt

      Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024? ... I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that. ... It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think, February of 2024. ... I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. ... You had the teams wrong, sir.

      C-SPAN video clip of the September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at which Jack Smith testified. The clip covers Sen. Eric Schmitt's questions about Smith's attendance at a February 3, 2024 basketball game, Smith's denial and later clarification, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar's real-time correction. DI reviewed the audio directly to verify the exact wording of this exchange rather than relying on news paraphrase.

      Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    5. Klobuchar says the accusation deserved an apology

      Reaction

      At the end of her questioning time, Klobuchar said Iowa had played Maryland on February 3, 2024, and that for a senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team, that Smith was involved in events in Georgia, and then call him a dirtbag, "is something that deserves an apology."

      [05]NBC News

      Source excerpt

      We’ll find out. That’s going to be up to a prosecutor to determine. My job here today was to ask questions and get answers.

      NBC News live blog entry reporting Schmitt's questions to Smith about the February 3, 2024 game, Klobuchar's closing remarks about the Iowa-Maryland game, and Schmitt's comments to NBC News outside the hearing room.

      Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators · NBC NewsLive blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room
      [06]Raw Story

      Source excerpt

      The game was, in fact, in Maryland, Mr. Smith, and I would just say for a U.S. senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team, which I knew, knowing my midwestern sports, and imply that you were in another city, that you were somehow involved that day in what was happening in Georgia and then call you a dirtbag is something that deserves an apology," Klobuchar added. "Thank you, Mr. Smith.

      Raw Story reporting that quotes Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks at the end of her questioning time, in which she confirmed the actual Iowa-Maryland game result and said the accusation deserved an apology.

      GOP senator buried in scorn as Jack Smith gotcha moment instantly falls apart · Raw StoryParagraphs reporting Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks as her questioning time ended

    6. Schmitt tells NBC News it is up to a prosecutor whether Smith perjured himself

      Reaction

      Asked outside the hearing room whether he still thought Smith had perjured himself after learning the details of the game, Schmitt told NBC News that it would be "up to a prosecutor to determine."

      [05]NBC News

      Source excerpt

      We’ll find out. That’s going to be up to a prosecutor to determine. My job here today was to ask questions and get answers.

      NBC News live blog entry reporting Schmitt's questions to Smith about the February 3, 2024 game, Klobuchar's closing remarks about the Iowa-Maryland game, and Schmitt's comments to NBC News outside the hearing room.

      Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators · NBC NewsLive blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room

  3. October 2026

    1. Judiciary Democrats request records and an apology to Smith

      Reaction

      In a letter dated October 7, Durbin and nine committee Democrats ask Grassley for records used at the September 29 hearing and an apology to Smith. They criticize Schmitt's basketball-game accusation and characterize the perjury accusations as false.

      [07]Senate Judiciary Democrats request committee records and an apology to Jack Smith

      The letter alleges violations of Senate records-access rules and criticizes accusations made during the September 29 hearing. Its assertions are the signers' position.

      Senate Judiciary Democrats request committee records and an apology to Jack SmithPages 1-2, opening request for an apology and discussion of Schmitt's basketball-game accusation; page 3, signatures.

Claims

Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.

What's disputed

Disputed claim

Eric Schmitt

Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

Sources (1)

Disputed claim

Eric Schmitt

Sen. Eric Schmitt asserted that Jack Smith had already perjured himself, telling him, "I think you've already perjured yourself," after Smith said he did not go to a Hawks game.

Sources (1)

Response record

Responses

Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.

7 responses. First 6 shown initially. Newest first.

  1. Dick DurbinSenate Judiciary Committee ranking member, writing with committee Democrats

    Before this statement

    The letter primarily objects to withholding committee records used during the September 29 hearing.

    "apologize to Mr. Smith on behalf of the Committee for the unacceptable personal attacks and false accusations of perjury"
    Condemned

    Case context: Did Jack Smith Attend the Warriors-Hawks Game Eric Schmitt Asked About?

    Full statement and sources

    Durbin asks Grassley to provide records and apologize to Smith on the committee's behalf. The letter calls the perjury accusations false.

    After the statement

    The closing paragraph repeats the request for records and an apology to Smith.

    Senate Judiciary Democrats request committee records and an apology to Jack SmithPages 1-2, opening request for an apology and discussion of Schmitt's basketball-game accusation; page 3, signatures.

    Why this label?

    The letter describes the attacks as unacceptable and the accusations as false, expressing condemnation of Schmitt's questioning.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  2. Amy KlobucharU.S. Senator, member of the Senate Judiciary CommitteeDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Klobuchar told Smith, "We have confirmed that, in fact, you are right," and said Iowa had played Maryland on February 3, 2024 and won 93-85, with Caitlin Clark scoring over 30 points, according to NBC News.

    "And I would just say, for a U.S. senator to have false information and imply based on a confusion about the name of a team, which I knew, knowing my Midwestern sports, and imply that you were in another city, that you were somehow involved that day in what was happening in Georgia, and then call you a dirtbag is something that deserves an apology"
    Condemned

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

    Full statement and sources

    At the end of her questioning time, Klobuchar said that for a senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team, that Smith was in another city and involved in events in Georgia, and then call him a dirtbag, deserved an apology.

    After the statement

    Klobuchar made the remarks as she wrapped up her questioning, NBC News reported. Asked outside the hearing room, Schmitt told NBC News it would be up to a prosecutor to determine whether Smith perjured himself.

    Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators · NBC NewsLive blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room
    GOP senator buried in scorn as Jack Smith gotcha moment instantly falls apart · Raw StoryParagraphs reporting Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks as her questioning time ended

    Why this label?

    Klobuchar explicitly criticizes Schmitt's conduct in making the accusation, calling for an apology rather than simply noting the factual error.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  3. Eric SchmittU.S. Senator (R-MO), speaking to NBC News outside the hearing roomDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    During the hearing, Schmitt told Smith, "I think you've already perjured yourself," and Klobuchar said the game was in Maryland and that the accusation deserved an apology, NBC News reported.

    "We’ll find out. That’s going to be up to a prosecutor to determine. My job here today was to ask questions and get answers."
    Explicitly stayed out

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt asserted that Jack Smith had already perjured himself, telling him, "I think you've already perjured yourself," after Smith said he did not go to a Hawks game.

    Full statement and sources

    Asked outside the hearing room whether he still thought Smith had perjured himself after learning the details of the game, Schmitt told NBC News that it was going to be up to a prosecutor to determine and that his job at the hearing was to ask questions and get answers.

    After the statement

    As of the evening of September 29, 2026, we did not locate a further statement from Schmitt or his office about the team names.

    Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators · NBC NewsLive blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room

    Why this label?

    The case tracks whether Smith attended the game Schmitt named. Asked whether he still thought Smith had perjured himself after learning the details of the game, Schmitt neither repeated nor withdrew the claim and said a prosecutor would determine it, which redirects the question, so we labeled it as declining to answer.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  4. Amy KlobucharU.S. Senator, member of the Senate Judiciary CommitteeDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Schmitt told Klobuchar it was not her time; Klobuchar said Schmitt was calling a witness a dirtbag, and Schmitt said he had presented Smith with text messages about meeting people connected to the Atlanta prosecution.

    "I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong."
    Challenged the characterization

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

    Full statement and sources

    During the exchange with Schmitt, Klobuchar said people should have their facts straight before accusing someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong.

    After the statement

    Schmitt responded, "I stand by that statement."

    Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    Why this label?

    Klobuchar disputes the accuracy of Schmitt's claim in real time by saying he got the teams wrong, which challenges how Schmitt described the game.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  5. Eric SchmittU.S. Senator questioning a witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearingDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Klobuchar had asked whether the confusion could be over Iowa's Hawkeyes and told Schmitt he was calling a witness a dirtbag.

    "I presented him with text messages about him wanting to meet with people that could have obviously been related to the prosecution that was coordinated with his office in Atlanta. ... I stand by that statement."
    Defended or excused

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

    Full statement and sources

    After Klobuchar said Schmitt was calling a witness a dirtbag, Schmitt said he had presented Smith with text messages about Smith wanting to meet with people that "could have obviously been related to the prosecution that was coordinated with his office in Atlanta." After Klobuchar said people should have their facts straight before accusing someone of being a dirtbag and get the teams right, Schmitt said, "I stand by that statement." He did not say which statement he meant.

    After the statement

    The hearing then moved to Klobuchar's questions.

    Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    Why this label?

    The case tracks whether Smith attended the game Schmitt named. Schmitt defends the poster of text messages by saying they concerned Smith wanting to meet people tied to the Atlanta prosecution, and says he stands by a statement after Klobuchar's remarks about the teams. He does not address which game Smith attended and does not retract, so we labeled it a defense of the accusation rather than a defense of the game identification.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  6. Jack SmithFormer special counsel, testifying under oath before the Senate Judiciary CommitteeDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Smith had said he did not recall going to Atlanta or to a Hawks game. Klobuchar asked that Smith be allowed to see the poster of text messages, and Smith said he could address it.

    "if this is the correct basketball game, I recall going to a University of Maryland basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing right around that time ... You could check if that was the exact date. It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think February of 2024"
    Challenged the characterization

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

    Full statement and sources

    Smith said that, if the poster referred to the correct game, he recalled going to a University of Maryland basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing around that time, with the Marshals Service present. He said the date could be checked and that he thought it was Maryland playing Iowa in February 2024.

    After the statement

    Klobuchar asked whether the confusion could be over Iowa's Hawkeyes; Smith said the game was played because Caitlin Clark was coming to Maryland to play.

    Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    Why this label?

    Smith does not adopt Schmitt's description of the game. He says the game he recalls attending around that date was a Maryland game with Caitlin Clark, hedges that the date could be checked, and so disputes the description of the game as a Hawks game.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
View all 7 responsesShow fewer responses
  1. Jack SmithFormer special counsel, testifying under oath before the Senate Judiciary CommitteeDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Schmitt asked Smith whether he went to a Warriors-Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, and tied the date to the disclosure of Fani Willis's relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade.

    "I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that."
    Denied

    Responding to: Sen. Eric Schmitt implied that Jack Smith attended a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, asking Smith whether he had gone to the game and displaying a poster of text messages he described as coming from Smith's team.

    Full statement and sources

    Smith said he definitely did not go to a Hawks game, said he had no recollection of going to Atlanta while he was special counsel, and said no when asked whether he ever met Nathan Wade or Fani Willis in that role.

    After the statement

    Schmitt then described a series of text messages from Smith's team, displayed a poster of them, and said he thought Smith had already perjured himself.

    Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

    Why this label?

    Smith directly denies the specific factual claim Schmitt put to him about attending the Hawks game and being in Atlanta.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement

Sources

(7)

Original video

Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta

Sen. Klobuchar Clashes with Sen. Schmitt After He Mistakenly Claims Jack Smith Attended NBA Game in Atlanta (opens in a new tab) · C-SPANClip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.

Sen. Eric Schmitt asks former special counsel Jack Smith about an NBA game in Atlanta, Smith answers, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar responds, at the Senate Judiciary Committee's Sept. 29, 2026 hearing.

Excerpt from about 1:50:45 to 1:57:57 of the Senate Judiciary Committee's archived video of the hearing. The C-SPAN recording cited for this source shows the same exchange. DI added its logo in the corner.

Video: U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)

Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Clip runtime 0:00-7:11. Sen. Schmitt's opening question and the text-message poster exchange run from 0:00-1:35. Jack Smith's Maryland-Iowa clarification and Sen. Klobuchar's on-the-record correction run from approximately 5:20-7:11.)

Excerpt

"Did you go to an NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks on February 3rd, 2024? ... I definitely did not go to a Hawks game. I'm sure of that. ... It was Maryland playing Iowa, I think, February of 2024. ... I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag and not get the teams wrong. ... You had the teams wrong, sir."

About this source

C-SPAN video clip of the September 29, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at which Jack Smith testified. The clip covers Sen. Eric Schmitt's questions about Smith's attendance at a February 3, 2024 basketball game, Smith's denial and later clarification, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar's real-time correction. DI reviewed the audio directly to verify the exact wording of this exchange rather than relying on news paraphrase.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Interview

Sen. Eric Schmitt Doubles Down After Viral Hawks Flub

Sen. Eric Schmitt Doubles Down After Viral Hawks Flub (opens in a new tab)Interview passage beginning There was no confusion between Hawkeyes and Hawk, followed by His full explanation.
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Interview passage beginning There was no confusion between Hawkeyes and Hawk, followed by His full explanation.

About this source

Front Office Sports reports its interview with Schmitt on Tuesday night, September 29. The article was published September 30 and distinguishes his explanation from the hearing exchange.

Author
Amanda Christovich
Published
Accessed

Official statement

Senate Judiciary Democrats request committee records and an apology to Jack Smith

Senate Judiciary Democrats request committee records and an apology to Jack Smith (opens in a new tab)Pages 1-2, opening request for an apology and discussion of Schmitt's basketball-game accusation; page 3, signatures.
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Relevant passage: Pages 1-2, opening request for an apology and discussion of Schmitt's basketball-game accusation; page 3, signatures.

About this source

The letter alleges violations of Senate records-access rules and criticizes accusations made during the September 29 hearing. Its assertions are the signers' position.

Author
Richard J. Durbin and nine Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, February 3, 2024

Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, February 3, 2024 (opens in a new tab)Box score: date, arena and final score
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Relevant passage: Box score: date, arena and final score

About this source

Basketball-Reference box score for the Warriors-Hawks NBA game played February 3, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Iowa 93-85 Maryland (Feb 3, 2024) Final Score - ESPN

Iowa 93-85 Maryland (Feb 3, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (opens in a new tab)Game page: final score, venue and player statistics
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Relevant passage: Game page: final score, venue and player statistics

About this source

ESPN game page for the Iowa-Maryland women's basketball game played February 3, 2024 at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators

Live updates: Jack Smith defends Trump investigations amid grilling from GOP senators (opens in a new tab) · NBC NewsLive blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room
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Relevant passage: Live blog entry on Sen. Eric Schmitt's exchange with Jack Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's closing remarks and Schmitt's comments outside the hearing room

Excerpt

"We’ll find out. That’s going to be up to a prosecutor to determine. My job here today was to ask questions and get answers."

About this source

NBC News live blog entry reporting Schmitt's questions to Smith about the February 3, 2024 game, Klobuchar's closing remarks about the Iowa-Maryland game, and Schmitt's comments to NBC News outside the hearing room.

Published
Accessed

Reporting

GOP senator buried in scorn as Jack Smith gotcha moment instantly falls apart

GOP senator buried in scorn as Jack Smith gotcha moment instantly falls apart (opens in a new tab) · Raw StoryParagraphs reporting Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks as her questioning time ended
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Relevant passage: Paragraphs reporting Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks as her questioning time ended

Excerpt

"The game was, in fact, in Maryland, Mr. Smith, and I would just say for a U.S. senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team, which I knew, knowing my midwestern sports, and imply that you were in another city, that you were somehow involved that day in what was happening in Georgia and then call you a dirtbag is something that deserves an apology," Klobuchar added. "Thank you, Mr. Smith."

About this source

Raw Story reporting that quotes Sen. Klobuchar's closing remarks at the end of her questioning time, in which she confirmed the actual Iowa-Maryland game result and said the accusation deserved an apology.

Author
Travis Gettys
Published
Accessed

Case updates

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Cite this record

Publisher
The Dispute Index
Title
Did Jack Smith Attend the Warriors-Hawks Game Eric Schmitt Asked About?
First published
Last updated
Permalink
https://disputeindex.com/cases/did-eric-schmitt-accurately-describe-jack-smith-s-basketball-game-in-his-fani-willis-accusation

The Dispute Index. "Did Jack Smith Attend the Warriors-Hawks Game Eric Schmitt Asked About?". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-10-10. https://disputeindex.com/cases/did-eric-schmitt-accurately-describe-jack-smith-s-basketball-game-in-his-fani-willis-accusation