Ben Swann of CBS46 brings back 'Pizzagate' conspiracy story

2017 In his regular "Reality Check" segment during the 11 p.m. news, Swann questioned whether the debunked rumor that Hillary Clinton's campaign trafficked children through a Washington, D.C. pizzeria is actually "fake news."

"I spent the last month investigating," he said. He noted that "Pizzagate" stemmed from a Wikileaks release of senior Clinton aide John Podesta's leaked emails. Someone online thought his reference to "cheese pizza" was code word for "child pornography." And away the conspiracy theorists went, seeking other code words that also led to the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria. Later, a man came to "investigate" and was arrested after shooting his gun.

Swann shows possible symbols of child pornography that resemble the logo of a neighboring pizza place. He alluded to dirty photos on the Comet Ping Pong owner's Instagram page and connections Podesta has with former House speaker Dennis Hastert, imprisoned for child molestation.