Steve Neavling
Role at the time: Metro Times investigative journalist writing analysis
Statement summary
In a Metro Times analysis of Rogers's statements about El-Sayed, Neavling writes that when the paper asked Rogers's campaign about his bin Laden claims for an October 8 report, the campaign repeated an unfounded allegation that El-Sayed received money from terrorist organizations.
“When Metro Times asked about those claims for its Oct. 8 report, Rogers’ campaign declined to answer specific questions. It instead defended his record and repeated an unfounded allegation that El-Sayed received money from terrorist organizations.”
Detroit Metro Times analysis of Rogers's statements about El-Sayed, published before their second debate. It calls the 9/11 claim false, cites PolitiFact's ratings and says the paper will stop seeking comment from Rogers's campaign.
Why we used this label
Relative to the allegation that El-Sayed's campaign took money from terrorist organizations, Neavling calls it unfounded. He disputes its basis rather than reporting evidence that no such payment occurred, so challenging the characterization fits better than a denial.