"I use the word 'cheap' because if the media reports gossip, innuendo and defamation without presenting evidence, that is cheap. It is imperative that a free press be fair, and giving any kind of exposure to allegations that smear a person is wrong. Now, on to what happened to Donald Trump. In September of 2015, someone hired a Washington political research firm called Fusion GPS to dig up dirt on Mr. Trump. Taking the money, the company began its sordid quest. A few months later, some Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton also began to pay Fusion for dirt. In June 2016, Fusion hired retired British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to get that dirt. Apparently Steele talked to some Russian operatives and began issuing a series of memos based on the gossip that he heard. In August of 2016, those salacious memos written by Steele found their way to the FBI. A far-left magazine ran a story about the anti-Trump operation, but the national media did not pick it up. Then, one week ago President Obama was briefed on Russia's efforts to influence the election and the anti-Trump garbage was included in that briefing. Vice President Biden said today that the president questioned why the gossip was even included in the briefing. He was not pleased, which is to Mr. Obama's credit. The next day, Donald Trump received the same intelligence from four senior U.S. intel chiefs. That's when all hell broke loose. CNN received a leak that the anti-Trump stuff was presented to Obama and Trump, and then BuzzFeed printed the salacious stuff. A bunch of the allegations have already been discredited and none confirmed, yet some argue that the public should be allowed to see all the garbage even though it certainly hurts the president-elect. Do you want salacious trash in the public square distributed by the media? There are no rules anymore. Allegations become convictions, gossip and innuendo become fact. Standards on the Internet and for much of the media are nonexistent. Donald Trump has denied all accusations and is angry, as we saw yesterday. But in the long run, it is America that should be angry because this kind of stuff is harming the fabric of our society and our ability to evaluate information in a fair way. Facts should be reported, but baseless allegations should not unless credible evidence is presented."

The Factor welcomed Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who first saw the salacious report a month ago. "Senator McCain was given a copy of this after the election," he said, "and we decided to turn it over to the FBI. You should view this with skepticism and suspicion, and I am very disappointed that we go into a new year with this garbage before us. There are plenty of things to disagree with Trump about, but this is not one of them." Graham, no friend of Donald Trump, also expressed concern that the president-elect has a soft spot for Vladimir Putin and Russia. "It's been hard for him to conclude that the Russians hacked into the DNC computers. It's almost like he wants a relationship too much and I wish he would declare Putin to be the disruptive force that he is. Putin won't stop until someone makes him pay a price!"

The Senate has begun the process of repealing the Affordable Health Care Act, President Obama's signature domestic legislation. Former Bush advisor Karl Rove asserted that ObamaCare is basically a dead law walking. "It will take more than a few weeks," he said, "but it will be repealed. Only 19% strongly approve of ObamaCare and 59% want to repeal part or all of it. This law is enormously unpopular and the main elements can be undone by simple majorities in the House and Senate. The Democrats can only stop repeal with Republican assistance. We will see a far more reasonable plan."

With Donald Trump's inauguration just one week away, The Factor spoke with Bill Hawkins, president of historically black Talladega College in Alabama, whose school band will perform at the event. "I've been personally attacked in a very negative manner," Hawkins revealed. "Some alumni have come at me pretty hard, they don't want the band to participate and say I am a disgrace to my race. But this is about the students having an opportunity to participate in this national ceremony." Trump advisor Omaroso Manigault, who is working on the inauguration, denounced the Talladega bullies. "I think it's despicable that individuals would attack young people who want to participate in this important activity. This is like a civics lesion and some of these young people have never even been to Washington."

Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro entered the No Spin Zone to report on the week's biggest outrage. At the top of her list - Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. "She is a Democratic mayor in Washington, DC," Pirro complained, "and she is putting up money to make sure that lawyers can be hired to represent illegals. We are using taxpayer dollars to subsidize people who have come here illegally! California is also talking about spending $10-million on the same thing." The Factor predicted, "The Trump administration will punish the city of Washington and Mayor Bowser will be in trouble."

FNC's Bernie Goldberg entered the No Spin Zone with the fallout from Donald Trump's contentious Wednesday press conference. "If you're a Trump fan you think he did great," Goldberg said, "but if you're not a Trump fan you don't. That's the problem with our democracy, everybody is taking sides and it's the death of principle in this country. The whole game now is to defend your own team!" Goldberg again defended the manner in which CNN reported on the Donald Trump rumors. But The Factor lamented, "This whole thing was tawdry and built on hatred, it should have never gotten into the public arena."

Jesse Watters blew into the Second City, where President Obama gave his lengthy farewell speech this week. Here's what some Chicagoans had to say about the president and his departure: "He was always caring and compassionate" ... "His biggest accomplishment was drone strikes" ... "It was nice to have a man in the White House who was respectful of women" ... "He could have addressed race relations a little better." One woman summed up the city's feeling by saying, "We're happy because he's coming home."

Jennifer Curry, Marin County, CA: "Disagree with your assessment, O'Reilly. Donald Trump handled the press conference better than his campaign appearances. He was polite but firm, and right to shut down the CNN reporter."

Dr. Wayne DeSarbo, Centre Hall, PA: "The disrespect shown to Mr. Trump is appalling. I can never remember the press treating President Obama like this."

Bill Seto, Atlanta, GA: "Bill, your segment with Lou Dobbs was somewhat misleading. Only foreign governments using Trump hotel rooms abroad will have their money go to the U.S. Treasury. Not all guests."

Consider flying the U.S. flag on Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, which will show both patriotism and a commitment to racial harmony.