The New York Times, which looks to take full advantage of any crisis, has accused U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, of selling stock in front of the coronavirus pandemic using insider information.

Inhofe flatly denies the allegation.

“The New York Times allegations are completely baseless and 100 percent false,” Inhofe said. “I was not at the briefing on January 24. I was meeting with pro-life kids from Oklahoma here for the March for Life and the new nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania.

“I do not have any involvement in my investment decisions. In December 2018, shortly after becoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I instructed my financial advisor to move me out of all stocks and into mutual funds to avoid any appearance of controversy. My advisor has been doing so faithfully since that time and I am not aware of or consulted about any transactions.”

In December 2018, Inhofe’s portfolio was 100% equities.

As of February 2020, his portfolio is 60% funds, 40% equities. His advisor has not bought an individual stock on his behalf since December 2018.

Who do we believe: Inhofe or the New York Times?

That’s an easy answer. This is another case of sloppy reporting by the liberal news media in order to libel a conservative politician.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-North Carolina; and Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Georgia, were also accused of selling stock before the crisis. Reports say that Sen. Diane Feinstein sold $1.5 million to $6 million in February.

Burr said he relied solely on news reports for his stock sale.

Loeffler said she is not involved in her portfolio decisions, which are made by a third party.

Feinstein claims her assets are in a blind trust and she said was absent from the January 24 meeting.

Time will tell if there is any fire behind this smoke. But for now, Inhofe’s explanation makes sense.