Congressman Jim Jordan Blasts CNN for Doing Actual Journalism

Embattled U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio blasted CNN Wednesday for reaching out to former Ohio State University wrestlers and staff "for dirt" on him as he deals with accusations of knowing of sexual abuse by a former wrestling team doctor.

"Now @CNN is contacting all 100+ of our former staff and interns asking for dirt on me. Getting desperate! How can you ever trust such #fakenews?" Jordan tweeted.

Jordan's attack, similar to the "fake news" mantra of President Donald Trump, goes right to the heart of the journalism business. Reporters are normally tasked with reaching out to as many sources as possible to either report a story or to corroborate one. Trump has often levied such attacks at CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post over stories that challenge his administration or revealing damning details about the White House's inner-workings.

In Jordan's case, more and more former members of the Ohio State wrestling team have publicly come forward to claim their former assistant coach knew or was directly told about late Dr. Richard Strauss' abuse of wrestlers.

One such former wrestler was David Range. While he was a member of the team in the late 1980s, Range said Jordan "definitely knew" about Strauss' actions. Strauss died in 2005 after working as the school's physician for almost three decades. Jordan was an assistant coach from 1986 to 1994.

"Jordan definitely knew that these things were happening — yes, most definitely," Range told The Post for a report published Saturday. "It was there. He knew about it because it was an everyday occurrence."

Three more wrestlers told CNN on Sunday that they had also been victims of Strauss, with one stating Strauss had abused him while claiming it was part of a routine medical exam.

Despite the accusations, which follow the harrowing stories of gymnasts abused by a former Michigan State team doctor earlier this year, Jordan has earned the support of House Republicans and even public backing from the powerful House Freedom Caucus, of which he is a member.

"Jim Jordan is a man of integrity, and we believe him and stand with him 100 percent. If he had seen or heard something he would have acted. We continue to support his work in Congress to fight for everyday Americans," the caucus tweeted Tuesday.

And last week, President Trump equally backed Jordan "100 percent."

"Jim Jordan is one of the most outstanding people I've met since I've been in Washington," Trump told reporters. "I believe him 100 percent. No question in my mind."